Conclave Film Sees Audience Surge After Pope FrancisS Death: Fact vs.Fiction
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By a Senior News Analyst, archynetys.com
A Timely Resurgence: “Conclave” captures Public Interest
The film Conclave,initially released in late 2024,has experienced a remarkable resurgence in viewership following the passing of Pope Francis on Monday,April 21st. data Luminate reports a staggering increase in viewing minutes. On that Monday alone,the film garnered 6.9 million viewing minutes, a dramatic leap from the previous Monday’s 966,000. the trend continued into Tuesday, April 22nd, with 18.3 million minutes watched, compared to just 574,000 the week before. Currently, in France, 11 UGC cinemas are still showing the film until April 28th, and it’s available on VOD platforms like Canal+ and Arte.
The Allure of the Papal Transition
The renewed interest in Conclave, inspired by Robert Harris’s 2016 novel of the same name, is understandable given the current circumstances. The film centers on cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes), tasked with overseeing the election of the new Pope, a process set to commence in early May. This event will fill the void left by Pope Francis, whose death has prompted global reflection and anticipation.
Inside the Vatican Walls: The Conclave Process
From approximately May 5th, 135 cardinal electors will gather within the Sistine Chapel to elect Francis I’s successor, requiring a two-thirds majority. Director Edward Berger transforms this highly structured ritual into a political-religious thriller, delving into the intricate Vatican political machinations.
But how accurately does the film portray the realities of this secretive process?
Fact vs. Fiction: Decoding the Film’s Accuracy
While Conclave has been lauded for it’s immersive depiction of the papal election, it’s crucial to distinguish between factual representation and cinematic license. Let’s examine the film’s adherence to reality and its deviations for dramatic effect.
Faithful Recreations: Protocols and Setting
The film garnered acclaim, including recognition for its adapted screenplay, partly due to its meticulous set design. While denied access to the Vatican for filming, the production team was granted a private tour, enabling them to recreate the interiors within Cinecittà Studios in Rome. The Sistine Chapel, however, was digitally rendered.
Many scenes accurately depict the protocols following a Pope’s death,including the sealing of the papal apartments,a tradition observed promptly after Pope Francis’s passing. This attention to detail contributes to the film’s sense of authenticity.
Furthermore, the film portrays the cardinals’ isolation during the conclave, a measure intended to prevent external influence. Security measures, including searches and electronic jamming, are also depicted. Daniel Gallagher, a lecturer at the University of Ralston and former staff member at the Vatican, affirmed to France Info that these precautions are fully in line with reality.
dramatic License: Security and Power Dynamics
However, certain elements in the film appear to be exaggerated or altered for narrative purposes. The film depicts a laser system used to detect vibrations from the Sistine Chapel windows,prompting staff to barricade them. While concerns about such technology have existed since the 2005 conclave preparations, this specific measure was not implemented during the 2013 conclave.
Moreover, the film’s portrayal of the power struggle between conservative and progressive cardinals is a simplification of a more complex reality. As writer and journalist Frédéric Martel noted, it’s not just that. The question of the country of origin […] is very important. The question of the order too, which is almost never addressed in the film […]. But also the relationship to the curia [l’organe central du gouvernement de l’Eglise catholique] and to his reform.
The question of the country of origin […] is very important. The question of the order too,which is almost never addressed in the film
frédéric Martel,writer and Journalist
The “In Pectore” Cardinal and the Final Twist
The film introduces an unknown cardinal participating in the conclave due to an in pectore
appointment,meaning his identity was kept secret. While this appointment process exists, canon law stipulates that the one that is promoted to cardinal dignity and whose Roman pontiff announced the creation but by reserving the name in pectore is not held during this period for any of the duties of the cardinals and it does not enjoy any of their rights
until a consistory formally creates the cardinal.
The film’s ending, involving the choice of successor, has been a point of contention among critics and viewers.Experts suggest that the depicted scenario is highly improbable in reality, marking a significant departure from the established norms of papal elections.