What ‘Conclave’ Gets Right and Wrong About Real Papal Elections
Hollywood’s political thriller Conclave has sparked new curiosity about how the Catholic Church elects a pope. While the film captures the solemnity and grandeur of a real-life conclave, Vatican experts say it also takes dramatic liberties.
Impressive Visuals and Atmosphere
The movie excels at recreating the Vatican’s visual world. William Cavanaugh, a Catholic studies professor, praised the film’s faithful reproduction of conclave settings and traditions, highlighting the tense conversations among cardinals.
However, slight inaccuracies in costume details were noted. The cardinals’ robes appeared a deeper red than the more orange hue seen in reality. Still, experts admit Hollywood’s version looked better on screen.
Realistic Conclave Timing and Voting Rituals
The film correctly shows that modern conclaves tend to be swift, usually lasting just a few days. According to historian Massimo Faggioli, a drawn-out conclave would suggest a deep division within the Church, something the Vatican tries to avoid.
While the voting process was mostly accurate, Father Thomas Reese pointed out that ballots are only burned after two rounds, not after every single vote, as shown in the movie.
Major Plot Mistakes Highlighted by Experts
Despite its strengths, Conclave introduces several major inaccuracies:
- Secret Cardinals Misrepresented:
The film shows an archbishop from Kabul joining the conclave as a cardinal “in pectore” (named secretly by the pope).
In reality, unless publicly announced during the pope’s lifetime, such a cardinal cannot vote. - Breaking the Seal of Confession:
A character violates confession secrecy — a grave sin that would lead to automatic excommunication in the real Church. - Vote Buying:
The movie shows cardinals engaging in bribery for votes, something unheard of in modern times. - Exaggerated Political Labels:
Experts stressed that cardinals are rarely easily labeled as “liberal” or “conservative,” and even seemingly progressive figures tend to uphold traditional Church teachings.
Conclave’s Bigger Truth About Papal Elections
Although some plot points are far-fetched, the movie reflects a deeper truth:
Cardinals do not always know exactly who they are electing.
Historical examples include:
- Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) surprising many voters with his reformist stance.
- Pope John XXIII ushering in Vatican II, despite being expected to serve as a transitional figure.
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