Pope Francis Approaches His 88th Birthday Amidst Succession Speculations

Pope Francis is just a few weeks away from celebrating his 88th birthday, and the Vatican is already buzzing with discussions regarding his potential successor. Meanwhile, a captivating thriller titled ‘Conclave’ is making waves at the Rome Film Festival, offering a fictional glimpse into the cutthroat world of cardinals vying for power. The film, filled with intrigue and back-stabbing, may feel eerily familiar to those within the Church.

Directed by the talented Austrian-Swiss filmmaker Edward Berger, who gained acclaim for his adaptation of ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (2022), ‘Conclave’ is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. The film features the extraordinary Ralph Fiennes in the role of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals tasked with orchestrating the conclave.

An Old Tradition of Selection

The conclave is a time-honored ritual that occurs upon the death of a pope, during which cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to engage in rounds of voting until a new pontiff is elected. The term ‘conclave’ derives from the Latin phrase “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” highlighting the secrecy of this gathering, as the cardinals are locked in until they have chosen the new leader for the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.

These deliberations unfold beneath Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoed ceiling, with his iconic ‘The Last Judgment’ adorning the wall behind the altar, illustrating the destinies of souls. Throughout the conclave, the cardinals are isolated from external communication, living in seclusion within the Vatican’s walls.

Conclaves are notorious for their fierce competition, where cardinals engage in clandestine negotiations to promote their preferred candidates through discreet ballots. After each voting round, the ballots are incinerated in a specially designed stove within the Sistine Chapel, with a chemical agent added to produce colored smoke. This smoke signals the outcome to the throngs gathered in St. Peter’s Square: black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke signifies the selection of a new pontiff.

Exploring Contemporary Issues

In ‘Conclave’, Stanley Tucci portrays Aldo Bellini, a progressive American cardinal, as he battles against the influential conservative Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco, played by Sergio Castellitto, and Canadian Cardinal Joseph Tremblay, portrayed by John Lithgow. The film introduces Nigerian Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi, played by Lucian Msamati, who could potentially become the first Black pope, but his homophobic views create tension with the progressives.

While women remain excluded from the conclave and the upper echelons of power within the Vatican, their contributions are evident as they fulfill humble roles, assisting the cardinals during this pivotal period. Isabella Rossellini shines in her role as a nun, serving as a keen observer who subtly notes the unfolding events.

While primarily a thriller, the film frequently intersects with real-life dynamics and ongoing debates within the Vatican. As the stars of the film graced the red carpet, speculation arose about how the Vatican would perceive ‘Conclave’. Fiennes remarked, “It’s intriguing. Are they sitting there at the Vatican watching the news coverage of ‘Conclave’?” He added, “I am sure there are a few people in the Vatican who would be curious to see what the film is saying.”