The convergence of fiction and faith in the lead-up to the upcoming papal conclave has drawn global attention, as Conclave—the 2024 thriller directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes as the Dean of the College of Cardinals—has become an unexpected but powerful reference point for real-world preparations. Though the film is a work of dramatic fiction, its meticulous attention to detail, historical accuracy, and insider portrayal of the secretive papal election process have earned it widespread acclaim not only in Hollywood but within the highest echelons of the Catholic Church.
With Pope Francis’s passing in late April 2024—just months after the film’s release—Catholic leaders now face the solemn task of selecting his successor. Beginning May 7, 133 cardinals, many of whom were appointed by Francis and have no prior experience in a conclave, will gather in the Sistine Chapel for the sacred ritual of cum clave (with key) — the process of choosing a new pontiff through secret ballot.
According to a Vatican official speaking to Politico, several participating cardinals have privately screened Conclave in theater settings, not for entertainment, but as a procedural and emotional primer. The film’s depiction of the intense political maneuvering, emotional weight, and spiritual gravity of the conclave has resonated with those navigating this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What makes the film’s impact particularly striking is its authenticity. Berger and screenwriter Tom Stoppard conducted extensive research, consulting historians, theologians, and former Vatican aides to ensure fidelity to tradition, protocol, and the psychological nuances of the cardinals. From the ritual of the white smoke rising from the Sistine chimney to the hushed whispers in the corridors of the Apostolic Palace, the film captures the atmosphere of sacred tension that defines the conclave.
For cardinals from remote regions—many of whom have never met one another before—the film has served as an informal guide to unspoken customs, power dynamics, and the emotional burden of choosing a global spiritual leader. One cardinal from a small diocese in the Global South reportedly said, “I’ve read the rules, but Conclave made me feel what it’s like to stand in that room, under that dome, with history weighing on your shoulders.”
While the Church has not officially endorsed the film, and no cardinal has confirmed using it as a formal reference, the fact that so many are turning to it—privately, reverently—highlights a profound truth: in a world of ancient rituals and modern pressures, storytelling can become a vessel for understanding the soul of tradition.
As the world watches the Sistine Chapel doors close once more, one thing is certain: Edward Berger’s Conclave has not only entertained—it has, unintentionally, become a modern sacrament of preparation.