Conclave: How Accurate is the Pope Election Movie to Real Life?

The Oscar-winning film *Conclave* offers a glimpse into the usually secretive process of electing a new Pope. But how much of what we see on screen is actually true to life? With the recent passing of Pope Francis, interest in the inner workings of the Vatican and papal elections has surged, making the film even more relevant.

Since its inception, the Catholic Church has adapted its papal election procedures. Secrestration and the cardinals' oath of confidentiality are two major aspects that contribute to the air of mystery. The 2024 thriller *Conclave* attempts to shed light on this process, exploring both the logistical and political elements. While some traditionalist Catholics have voiced concerns about the movie's creative liberties, *Conclave* deserves recognition for its surprisingly accurate portrayal of the papal election.

How Accurate Conclave's Pope Election Process Is To Real Life

Conclave Gets The Process Of Electing A New Pope Mostly Correct Most experts agree that *Conclave* accurately depicts the papal election process. Details like the destruction of the late Pope's ring, the burning of ballots to create colored smoke, and the sequestration of cardinals are all represented with fidelity.

Sister Susan Francois, an assistant congregation leader for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, emphasized that human nature plays a role in the election. While the hope is for a purely spiritual process, "egos, worries, [and] concerns" inevitably surface. Kathleen Sprows Cummings, a history professor at the University of Notre Dame, echoed this sentiment, noting that the "jockeying and selfishness" depicted in the film are realistic aspects of the process. She also pointed out that powerful speeches can significantly influence the cardinals' decisions, citing the elections of Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI as examples. To ensure accuracy, Robert Harris, the author of the novel *Conclave*, consulted with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, who participated in the 2005 and 2013 papal elections.

Reverend Thomas Reese, a journalist and author of books on the Catholic Church, praised the film's accurate depiction of the voting procedure. His book, *Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church*, offers a detailed exploration of the conclave. The filmmakers also went on a private tour of the Vatican to ask questions about the logistics.

What Conclave Gets Wrong About The Pope Election Process

Conclave Gets A Few Things Incorrect Despite its strengths, *Conclave* does take some liberties with the facts. One notable inaccuracy is the portrayal of a Cardinal in pectore participating in the conclave. According to David Gibson, Director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, such a cardinal would not be allowed to participate unless their position had been announced by the Pope beforehand. Massimo Faggioli, a professor of theology and religious studies at Villanova University, other discrepancies.

He noted that there is typically a two-week period between the Pope's death and the conclave, during which the College of Cardinals gathers to discuss the Church's needs and become better acquainted. He also pointed out that the political discussions within a conclave are usually more "coded" and "diplomatic" than depicted in the film. Furthermore, real conclaves tend to less on North American candidates than the movie suggests. The film also understates the number of votes that can take place each day, potentially up to four, until a two-thirds majority is reached. Ultimately, the inaccuracies in *Conclave* can be attributed to creative decisions made to enhance the storytelling. The filmmakers faced the challenge of condensing a complex and secretive process into a two-hour film while maintaining a compelling narrative.