Is Conclave Based On A True Story? The Real-Life Inspiration Behind The Papal Election Movie

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Following Pope Francis’ passing on April 21, 2025, there’s been increased curiosity about the procedure for selecting a new pope. If you’re intrigued by this topic and appreciate character-driven dramas, consider watching the Academy Award-winning film “Conclave.” This movie follows a group of cardinals as they attempt to elect a new Pope. Although it’s not a true story (it’s based on Robert Harris’ novel of the same name), it accurately reflects the process followed by the College of Cardinals when a pope dies.

Similar to how it is depicted in the film “Conclave,” the actual College of Cardinals will convene after the demise of Pope Francis. The voting process will persist until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. Once this occurs, the Catholic Church will have a new head. Just as the movie accurately portrays this aspect, what other elements does “Conclave” encapsulate about this intriguing and significant real-life event? Here’s what you need to know about “Conclave”.

What is Conclave about?

The story “Conclave” revolves around an imaginary crisis in the College of Cardinals that takes place a day after the pope passes away. In this narrative, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, portrayed by the renowned Ralph Fiennes, assumes the role as its dean. His task is to scrutinize and decide among the most promising four contenders for the vacant position.

As a gamer, I find myself immersed in a world of power struggles within the Vatican. Here’s how I see the key players:

1. I am Aldo Bellini, an American with a progressive take on Catholic doctrines. Despite my liberal spirit, I’ve been overlooked time and again by my peers due to my outspoken nature. I keep missing the votes needed for ascension, leaving me frustrated but not defeated.
2. Cardinal Joseph Tremblay, hailing from Canada, is a moderate who appears mild-mannered on the surface, but don’t be fooled – he isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and get gritty during the vote-gathering process.
3. Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi, a Nigerian conservative, maintains a strict adherence to tradition. There’s a secret connection between him and Sister Shanumi, a newly transferred nun whose arrival in Rome has sparked intrigue due to her mysterious past.
4. Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco is an Italian right-winger with a fiery temperament. He struggles to separate his religious beliefs from politics, which often lands him in hot water.
5. Lastly, there’s the wild card – Cardinal Vincent Benitez, a newcomer who’s keeping a dark secret about his medical history. Some are intentionally trying to hide this information, making him an enigma in this high-stakes game of power and influence.

As political intrigues and hidden truths surface, cardinals compete fiercely and strive to ascend the ranks in “Conclave.” The story concludes with a shocking revelation casting suspicion on the front-runner. It’s left to Lawrence to dig through the mess and discover the true contender, but can he do it before time runs out?

What does Conclave get right and wrong about papal elections?

As a captivated reader, I must admit that some papal conclaves have had their share of intrigue, but none have been marred by suicide bombings, election manipulation, or the revelation of clandestine offspring. However, Robert Harris claimed to have stumbled upon a diary from an anonymous cardinal involved in the conclave electing Pope Benedict XVI while conducting research for his novel, and one of his characters bears a vague resemblance to another unnamed real-life cardinal. He explained that there was also a prominent liberal cardinal from Milan who was widely anticipated to ascend the papal throne year after year, but ultimately finished third after the first vote. This character is portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the movie and serves as the foundation for the emotional narrative, the tale of the man who had spent his entire life waiting for a chance that ultimately eluded him.

The movie’s portrayal of the Vatican and its events in “Conclave” appears to be quite accurate according to William Cavanaugh, a Catholic studies professor at DePaul University in Chicago. He mentioned this to The Associated Press, stating that the film does an impressive job of getting many details correct. This accuracy is likely due to the fact that they had an on-set consultant to ensure authenticity. Interestingly enough, even aspects that might seem incorrect, such as cardinals taking smoke breaks during conclaves, have been confirmed accurate by a Vatican spokesperson.

In the movie, there seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the conclave process. A character named Cardinal Vincent Benitez was made a cardinal “in pectore” – this means he was secretly designated by the previous pope before his death, but since this process doesn’t allow for immediate public recognition, he wouldn’t actually be eligible to participate in the conclave or even become a potential elector.

Furthermore, several characters in the film appear to commit grave sins that would result in excommunication from any church. For instance, Cardinal Lawrence breaches the sanctity of confession and manages to escape the consequences. However, these minor inaccuracies might be overlooked given the entertainment value and dramatic appeal of the movie.

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2025-04-30 20:00