Conclave

Synopsis: Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church gather to elect a new pope.

Conclave requires a lead actor of high caliber. And someone who looks good in ceremonial robes. He will be required to be intriguing both in closeups that show his internal spiritual struggles and long views as he purposefully strides through the Vatican porticoes.

The movie, based on Robert Harris’ same titled book, gives an inside view on the election of a new pope in Rome. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, so it’s a coveted job.

The subject matter sounds dry, but Conclave creates suspense from the candidates’ jockeying to be the winner–and what skeletons they may have in the closet. All of which brings us to casting a lead who has the talent and stamina (he’s in nearly every scene) to rivet us as Father Lawrence.

Father Lawrence is a cardinal and is the dean of the conclave which elects the new pope, casting their votes from the Sistine Chapel* in Vatican City. The book’s protagonist was named Father Lomeli. Thankfully, the lead was changed to a native English speaker, sparing us the kinds of nearly comical Italian accents offered by, for example, Jeremy Irons as Rodolfo Gucci in House of Gucci.

Ralph Fiennes is the weary and honorable Cardinal Lawrence. Now, I’m not a fan of the patriarchal hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, but nobody asked me. Why should men be the only ones in power; and sweeping around in resplendent robes?

I had no idea of the variety of attire the higher-up priests get to wear. The everyday garb of the scores of cardinals consists of a white robe that sways becomingly whilst walking and a dark red capelet. When they gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote, they are garbed in stunning cardinal red.

The hats could use some improvement. Skullcaps? Trade those in for undersized red fedoras with white ribbon hatbands. Take a moment to picture how good Stanley Tucci would look in one… Onward we go…

Conclave begins with the death of the pope. He’s died of natural causes in his bed. Numerous high-ranking clergy are summoned to pray by the bedside and begin Roman Catholic Church ceremony.

The film shows us plenty of arcane ritual, such as the dead pope’s ‘Fisherman’s Ring’ being removed. Certainly, the heavy and ornate ring isn’t something a real fisherman would go out to work wearing. But, see, the pope is symbolically a fisherman, fishing for people’s souls. Not to filet them, but to bring them to God’s word. So, the ring is taken and…smashed!  The new pope will get a new ring. I don’t know if the old ring is recycled or enshrined.

The body is taken away and the room closed-off with a red wax seal. Not as effective as a lock, but there you have it.

The cardinals are summoned to Rome for the conclave which is the gathering to vote whilst sequestered. I thought that a cardinal was just the next rank up from bishop, but no, cardinal is a title bestowed by the pope while the priest continues their existing duties as, say, a bishop or archbishop. The major players include the aforementioned…

Ralph Fiennes as Father Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals, is dogmatically progressive and soft spoken. He is one of the few cardinals who isn’t interested in becoming pope. In fact, it’s suggested that he has misgivings about the Church or, even about God. Gasp!

John Lithgow is Father Tremblay, played with a wink by John Lithgow. Said cardinal is nakedly ambitious and appears to be either the most honest man in the Vatican or the most deceitful. Whenever he’s accused of anything untoward, he acts astounded and wounded. Furthermore, his character is even more pompous than Lithgow’s Lord Farquaad in Shrek.

Lucian Msamati is Cardinal Adeyemi, who seems like a decent person whilst also being a smooth operator. He’s a Black man from Nigeria, so his selection would be groundbreaking. Some cardinals don’t want this to happen.

Sergio Castellito is Cardinal Tedesco. He’s very old school, wanting to go back to the Latin Mass and eschew outreach to other religious organizations. The Italian priest is fusty and has a temper.  Castellito leans into his character’s megalomania. I could see John Turturro in the role, but it’s Rome and we need some Italians onscreen.

Stanley Tucci is Cardinal Bellini, a liberal from America. He advertises his determination to bring the Church forward, even if it costs him votes. Tuch is my fave, affording the cardinal his trademark winsome flair. When he smirks, it brings to mind his Nigel character from The Devil Wears Prada. (I half expected Anne Hathaway’s ungrateful newbie Andy to turn up and get a lesson in manners with one frosty tongue lashing.)

There’s not much room for women in the Vatican; at least not in any power positions. There are nuns who support the proceedings by cooking and doing clerical work. I don’t know if the book had any women characters featured, but Isabella Rossellini is Sister Agnes here. She’s stoic and principled. I’d become accustomed to seeing Ms. Rossellini in Green Porno, a series on animal sexual behavior in which she appears as various animals, acting out their mating rituals. So, this role is quite a break. (Btw, I would recommend the “Shrimp” episode in Green Porno.)

So! The conclave… Ralph presides over everything with precise attention to every detail, including keeping an eye on the machinations of the candidates. His assistant, the Vice Dean, Cardinal O’Malley (Brian F. O’Byrne), periodically sidles up to Ralph and whispers to him about rumors of scandals and chicanery. Ralph doesn’t want to think uncharitably of any of his brethren, but he feels obligated to investigate.

Ralph gently questions people in search of the truth. Sometimes, he hands down firm decisions. At one point, he loses his composure and calls out, “Enough of learning secrets!” Not enough for me! Keep the secrets coming.

The whole enterprise looks exhausting. First of all, the cardinals are housed in Vatican apartments in the Domus Sanctae Marthae.* * The walls and floors are covered in marble tile, while the furnishings are spartan. This seems about right for Vatican decorating, ostentatious yet uncomfortable.

Secondly, the cardinals convene in the Sistine chapel, sitting at long rows of desks. They make a big show of being locked in for the day. Imagine how embarrassing if, right after the day is called to order, you have to raise your hand to use the bathroom.

In the years 1268 – 71, there was an interregnum, meaning “in between” popes. The cardinals couldn’t agree because they were always out politicking and changing their minds. Finally, they were locked into the voting chambers on bread and water rations. It got so bad, that the roof of the palace in Viterbo, Italy where they were sequestered, was removed to hasten the papal election. Yes, they removed the frickin’ roof. The first rainfall would’ve been enough for me to agree to vote for whomever.

The cardinals vote by writing their choice on a slip of paper and, with great ceremony, parading to the front of the room, and sliding the paper into an antique wooden ballot box.

Now, the movie doesn’t get into this, but, just so you know, the College of Cardinals consists of 233 members (as of October 2024), but the cardinal electors number 121. (Those over eighty years old can’t vote. Ageism?) The pope is elected by two-thirds majority.

The movie makes a big show of each round of votes being burned. There is a color additive, so that the people outside can see if a new pope has been chosen; Black smoke for no one chosen and white for a decision.

Now, it’s considered to be poor form to actively campaign for pope. But all sorts of machinations are occurring behind the scenes, maybe even skullduggery (such a great word).

Meanwhile, Ralph has to keep the conclave afloat atop the Holy See. His character’s skills are impressive, including the actor speaking in Italian with a chilly English accent and reciting Latin. Ralph does a commendable job tossing off the Latin in a semi-bored fashion just like a real priest; as if it hasn’t been out of use in the world for more than four hundred years.

Will anything or anyone dissuade Ralph from his mission? I was hoping not, because every institution needs at least one person to believe in. As for who becomes the new pope? Well… all I’ll say is that we do have a new pope by the end of Conclave. 

I left the theater seeing the importance, not only to the Roman Catholic Church, but to humanity at large, of who exactly becomes pope.  And, as far as personal ambition, I can see why someone would covet the title of: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Rome, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servant of Gods and –my personal favorite– Primate of Italy.

Movie Loon’s Movie Loon Shortcut:

Grade:   A-

Cut to the Chase: Well-developed story and excellent acting, especially from Ralph Fiennes as Father Lawrence.

Humor Highlight:  When it’s reported that a cardinal with an odious personality might not make it to the conclave, Ralph’s Father Lawrence deadpans: We should be so lucky.

* Sistine Chapel, constructed beginning in 1473 inside of the Apostolic Chapel. It is famously adorned with frescoes by Michelangelo. If you visit, be prepared to be packed together with other tourists shuffling along, heads raised to see the ceiling’s artwork while an employee yells: Keep moving!

The Vatican setting was recreated in Italy at Cinecittà Studios and Caserta Palace. The Sistine Chapel ceiling was done by computer animation.

**The current pope, Pope Francis, chose to reside in “Martha’s House,” rather than the Apostolic Palace.

The Pope  Pope Francis, a Jesuit priest from Argentina, is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Born in 1936, his papacy began in 2013.

Pope Francis has spoken out for social justice, a universal basic income, addressing climate change, and against right wing populism. In recent years there have been many sexual abuse cases against priests. The Pope has apologized for the crimes and for historical mistreatment of indigenous persons.

Regarding women’s role in the Church…they cannot be ordained as priests, nor can they be ordained as deacons; preventing women from delivering sermons or presiding over ceremonies. The pope has said: One cannot reduce everything to ministry.

Regarding LGBTQ persons: The Church only allows marriage between a man and a woman. He has called for global decriminalization of homosexuality. His most famous statement on gay life is:  Who am I to judge?