After four rounds of voting, white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City around 6:10 pm local time on May 8th, marking the election of the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church during a secret conclave inside the chapel. Interestingly, before the first round of voting, many bishops familiarized themselves with the election process by watching the movie “Conclave.”
The film “Conclave,” starring Hollywood actor Ralph Fiennes, was released this year, giving audiences a glimpse into the mechanism behind the election of a pope. Little did they know that the film would serve as educational material for the election of the 267th pontiff.
A total of 133 bishops participated in the election held in the Sistine Chapel, where the candidate needed to secure over two-thirds of the votes, which meant obtaining 89 votes for election. After four rounds of voting, Robert Prevost, the first American pope in history, was elected as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. He chose to be named “Leo XIV,” with Leo derived from Latin meaning “lion,” symbolizing strength and courage.
According to POLITICO magazine, a clergy member mentioned that most of the 133 cardinals eligible to vote were appointed by the late Pope Francis and had never participated in a papal conclave before. Hence, before the initial vote, many bishops turned to the movie “Conclave” to understand the election process.
Reports indicate that cardinals who have been part of previous elections revealed that the film’s portrayal of scenes and content was highly accurate. Many cardinals depicted in the movie hailed from smaller and often overlooked dioceses, which mirrors reality.
Directed by Edward Berger, known for “The Lives of Others,” the movie “Conclave” was adapted from the novel of the same name by Robert Harris in 2016, featuring a star-studded cast including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and John Lithgow.
Due to the Vatican’s papal election process being one of the world’s oldest, most conservative, and highly secretive, “Conclave” not only showcases the complete meeting process but also unveils various power struggles within the Vatican, incorporating thrilling elements to boldly reveal the secrets of a clandestine conclave. With an investment of $20 million, “Conclave” has grossed $118 million at the box office and continues to attract audiences.