Sun Apr 27 00:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Hollywood’s “Conclave”: Accurate Depiction or Papal Fiction?

**Vatican City** – The upcoming conclave to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis has sparked renewed interest in the secretive process, fueled in part by the 2024 film “Conclave.” While the movie successfully captures the atmosphere and many rituals of a papal election, experts caution that certain plot points stray significantly from reality.

“Conclave,” a political thriller, has introduced many to the intricacies of cardinal voting, albeit with dramatic license. Professor William Cavanaugh of DePaul University praised the film’s accurate portrayal of pre-conclave discussions among cardinals and its visually stunning recreation of the Vatican setting. Rev. Thomas Reese, a Vatican expert and author of “Inside the Vatican,” agreed, calling the production values “marvelous,” though noting minor inaccuracies in cardinal attire. Both experts concur that the film’s depiction of a relatively short conclave aligns with historical precedent. A lengthy conclave would signal a deeply divided church, something modern history avoids.

However, significant discrepancies exist. Reese points out that ballots are burned after each voting session, not after each individual vote as depicted. More critically, the film’s inclusion of a “cardinal in pectore” – a cardinal secretly appointed and revealed only at death – entering the conclave is historically inaccurate. Such a cardinal cannot participate unless publicly named by the deceased Pope.

Further inaccuracies include a dean of the College of Cardinals breaking the seal of confession, a cardinal paying for votes, and the portrayal of cardinals as purely liberal or conservative. These elements, while adding dramatic tension, lack factual basis. Professor Kurt Martens of Catholic University emphasizes that the labels oversimplify the nuanced views held by the cardinals.

Despite these inaccuracies, both Cavanaugh and Reese agree that the film’s fictional plot points, however far-fetched, highlight the inherent uncertainties of a papal election. The eventual Pope’s actions often surprise even those who voted for them, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the process. Ultimately, “Conclave” offers a visually engaging yet partially fictionalized account of a pivotal event in the Catholic Church.

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