Edward Berger's gripping papal thriller, *Conclave*, captivated audiences last year, offering a rare glimpse into the secretive and ritualistic process of electing a new pope. As cardinals from across the globe prepare to participate in a real-life conclave, the influence of this film is strikingly evident. Remarkably, some of these religious leaders have turned to the movie for guidance in understanding the intricacies of the papal election process.
A papal cleric involved in the conclave ritual shared with Politico that Berger’s film, featuring the iconic Ralph Fiennes as the dean of the College of Cardinals, is considered "remarkably accurate" by some cardinals. The cleric noted, "some [Cardinals] have watched it in the cinema," underscoring the film's impact on those who will soon convene to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.
The conclave was triggered by the death of Pope Francis in late April, just months after the film's release. Now, 133 high-ranking clerics from around the world are set to gather in the Sistine Chapel starting Wednesday, May 7, to deliberate and vote on the next pontiff.
A significant number of these cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis and have never experienced a conclave before. This makes it particularly understandable that they would look to *Conclave* for insights, especially those from smaller or more remote parishes who might not have easy access to detailed information about the process.
