27/39
After the pope dies, his ring (called the Fisherman’s Ring) is removed and destroyed
Plot
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and long-running events, the selection of a new pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. Most of the actions taken by Cardinal Lawrence and the rest of the cardinals during the film’s conclave process are true to the Catholic faith and centuries of tradition. The Vatican officially announces that the throne of the Holy See (the governing body of the Catholic Church) is vacant. The papal apartment is closed with a crimson ribbon and sealed with a papal wax seal. The College of Cardinals is sequestered in apartments (called the Domus Sanctae Marthae or House of St.
Martha) to eat and sleep between votes
The windows and doors of the Sistine Chapel, where the elections are held and ballots are cast, are darkened, closed, and locked to maintain the secrecy of the conclave. Cardinal Benitez delivers his climactic speech in Spanish. All the cardinals are fluent in Latin, and many have conversations in Italian. Both Spanish and Italian are derived from Latin, so the cardinals may have had a basic understanding of Spanish. Sister Agnes: Although we sisters are supposed to be invisible, God has nevertheless given us eyes and ears.
Greetings again from the darkness
Referenced in The Saad Truth: My Review of Conclave (Film) – Wokeism Destroys Everything (2024). Allegri: MisererePerformed by Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, Massimo PalombellaCourtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GMBHUnder license from Universal Music Operations Ltd. It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve had a good old serious concert, full of tension and “big” A drama film starring big movie stars. Well, that’s exactly what director Edward Berger, fresh off his Oscar-winning film THE DARK WESTERN KINGDOM (2022), is giving us with his latest film. Screenwriter Peter Straughan (THE TAILOR, THE SPY, 2011) adapted Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, and the result is a welcome audience hit that could earn him some Oscar consideration.
Ralph Fiennes delivers what may be his best performance to date
And that’s saying something for the highly respected actor who has previously excelled in films such as SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993), CONSTANT GARDENING (2005), IN BRUGES (2008), A BIG SHINE (2018) and THE MENU (2022). His impressive career is only enhanced by this latest role as Cardinal Lawrence, tasked with the daunting task of facilitating the titular conclave to elect the new pope. As the film opens, the beloved pope has just died… and as they say, “let the games begin.” Of course, these games are all about political maneuvering, power struggles and behind-the-scenes promises. Director Berger chooses to show us very little of the actual negotiations, instead highlighting the different iterations of loyalties in each successive secret (of course) vote. Within the confines of Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Lawrence spends most of his time investigating information, berating others for their behavior, and managing the immense egos of the few people he considers (including himself).
Regardless, Cardinal Adivemi, played by Lucian Msmuati, is the victim of Tremblay’s actions
Stanley Tucci plays Cardinal Bellini, who pretends not to want the job while campaigning as the “progressive” voice the Church needs today. John Lithgow is Cardinal Tremblay, one of the most ambitious and assertive who may or may not have deliberately undermined the work of another. Cardinal Tedesco, played by Sergio Castellitto, is the one who most openly expresses his desire to return the Church to the old ways (Latin Masses forever!), which he considers to be right.
