Conclave: Pope’s electoral process is starring an Oscar -winning film

Winner of an Oscar and with seven other nominations in 2025, the film “Conclave”, which portrays the process of choosing a Pope, is one of the most acclaimed productions of today.

Directed by Edward Berger (“Nothing new on the front”, 2022), the film is an adaptation of the bestseller of the same name written by Robert Harris, published in 2016.

In the plot, Cardel Lawrence, who lived by Ralph Fiennes (“The Faithful Gardener” and “The English Patient”), is the one who leads the conclave to the choice of the new Pontiff after the sudden death of the then world leader of the Catholic Church.

The cast of “Conclave” also has Stanley Tucci (“A Look of Paradise”), Isabella Rossellini (“Blue Velvet”), John Lithgow (“Dexter”) and Sergio Castellito (“Don’t Move”).

“Conclave” was one of the best film candidates for the 97th edition of Oscar, whose ceremony took place on March 2 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.

He competed in the same category in which I am still here, of Walter Salles. The Brazilian film was also appointed for the best foreign film and, in this case, won the prize.

“Conclave” won an Oscar for the best adapted script. He also competed for costumes, soundtracks, artistic direction, assembly, best actor (Ralph Fiennes) and best joint actress (Isabella Rossellini).

The conclave to choose a new Pope is one of the oldest, rigid and secret processes in the world. It is happening from the 13th century.

It occurs when a Pope dies – as in the succession of John Paul II to Benedict XVI – or renunciation – like the latest change, with Benedict XVI who gave way to Francis.

The word conclave derives from the Latin “cum clavis”, which means “closed to the key”, which gives the measure of the confidentiality with which the process is treated.

In it, cardinals around the world gather in the assembly and are isolated from the world. The principle is that they are not subject to influences and pressures. The vote is secret.

The elections take place inside the Sistine Chapel, located in the Apostolic Palace, the Pope’s official residence in the Vatican.

The rules in force in the conclave, such as the composition of the electoral college, were defined during the pontificate of Paul VI on November 21, 1970.