Conclave Ending, Explained: What the Final Twist Means for the Church

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As a former Jesuit seminarian who spent several years immersed in the intricate world of Catholicism, I found “Conclave” to be a riveting and thought-provoking cinematic experience. The film’s exploration of faith, doubt, tradition, and progression resonated deeply with my own experiences within the Church.

Spoiler Alert: Spoilers follow for ConclaveAfter a relatively dry last couple of months, the tail end of October and November are set to finally see a plethora of exciting films released as the Oscar season heats up. It’s seemed like a relatively uneventful race thus far, outside of Joker: Folie à Deux crashing and burning, but this weekend sees the opening of an almost surefire contender, Conclave. Directed by Edward Berger of 2022’s surprisingly great reimagining of All Quiet on the Western Front, Conclave focuses on the impending election for a successor to the pope, during which the candidates clash for power and influence over their fellow cardinals.

In a less intense manner than Berger’s latest war film, yet still packing quite a punch, the movie Conclave breathes life into what appears to be an ordinary subject matter, making it almost suspenseful like a confined thriller at times. It’s also remarkably juicy, resembling a mix of Succession and popes, offering all the betrayal and political machinations one would anticipate from such a comparison, and the surprises continue unabated until the very end. The final 10 minutes in particular are thought-provoking, so we’re dissecting the surprising ending of Conclave and its consequences.

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Who Becomes the New Pope in Conclave?

The process for choosing a new pope begins upon the death of the current one, bringing together all high-ranking Cardinals within the Catholic Church. To ensure impartiality throughout the selection process, the group known as the conclave isolates itself for nearly a week, disconnected from the outside world. In charge of overseeing these events is Lawrence (portrayed brilliantly by Ralph Fiennes), the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who has recently wrestled with doubts about his faith and is contemplating leaving the church.

Though maintaining outward objectivity over the election, Lawrence secretly urges his fellow cardinals to back his friend Bellini (Stanley Tucci), believing that his liberal and inclusive beliefs stand the best chance of stopping the reactionary Tedesco from being elected. It quickly becomes clear that Bellini lacks the support he needs, with the mysterious Father Tremblay (John Lithgow) proving the most popular candidate.

Meanwhile, Lawrence learns whispers suggesting that Pope, who had recently passed away, secretly requested Tremblay’s resignation prior to his demise. Upon delving deeper, he uncovers evidence indicating that Tremblay has been offering bribes to cardinals for over a year in exchange for their votes and actively undermined the campaign of his rival, Adeyemi, by exposing an old scandal involving Adeyemi’s illicit affair. Once these deceitful actions were brought to light, the conclave descends into turmoil, and Tedesco hopes that this growing discord will pave the way for him to emerge victorious.

In an unexpected turn of events, Cardinal Benitez emerges victorious in the final vote. Previously working in Kabul and a recent addition to the conclave, his appointment came as a surprise since the late pope had secretly made him a cardinal. Most attendees appear content with this choice; however, Lawrence uncovers an astonishing revelation just before the coronation — Cardinal Benitez had recently scheduled an appointment at a gender-reassignment clinic.

Conclave’s Final Twist Signals a New Direction for the Church

The final turn in the film Conclave has sparked divided opinions. While some viewers and critics find it a touching representation of the movie’s faith in the Catholic Church evolving towards inclusivity, others argue that it’s too sudden or overly dramatic and fails to tackle the emerging thematic complexities. However, everyone seems to concur that it was completely unexpected.

As a movie aficionado, I must admit that the final twist in this flick is more profound thematically than it is for the narrative or character development, given the film’s storyline has already reached its climax. Yet, it serves to tie up two intriguing concepts beautifully: the internal struggle between doubt and conviction, and the Catholic Church’s ongoing battle between tradition and modernity.

As I’m involved in choosing the next pope, I find myself squarely facing my own doubts. For such a sacred position, it’s clear that the chosen one must be deeply devoted and imperfection-free (I know I’m not cut out for the job). However, as the top contenders seem more interested in power and ambition than their faith, I feel validated when the eventual winner proves to be a man of sincere faith. Yet, upon discovering Benitez has his own secrets, I find myself having to put my certainty aside and take a leap of faith, trusting that he is still the right choice.

The film predominantly focuses on the tension between traditional Catholic beliefs and progressive ones, but the twist decisively steers the narrative towards the latter. Throughout, characters grapple with finding solutions to address the Catholic Church’s recent scandals, resulting in a continuous conversation about the best way forward. By choosing Benitez, an intersex individual, as the new pope, it suggests a fresh, promising path. This choice instills optimism that he will effectively help the church make amends for past mistakes and promote inclusivity by broadening its membership.

Conclave Is Contemporary and Highly Entertaining

In the story, modern comparisons are undeniably apparent, and the choice between a forward-thinking, optimistic pope or a bigoted, conservative one resonates strongly as we approach a highly contentious presidential election. Fortunately, Conclave avoids being preachy, and instead of being dull and procedural, it’s exciting and engaging, superbly written and brilliantly acted. The race for the Oscars has begun. You can catch Conclave in theaters now.

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2024-10-26 03:01