Conclave: the 5 best movies on how the Pope’s election works

DOpe the death of Pope Francis, In the next few days (roughly between 6 and 10 May) there will be a new conclave to elect Bergoglio’s successor. A millennial tradition – The word derives from the Latin cum club, that is “(closed) with key” – which provides The meeting of the College of Cardinals (there are 135) behind closed doors in the Sistine chapel. A “very secret” rite, during which Every single cardinal voter votes the new pontiff of Rome, and that Cinema has always fascinated. To prepare for this historical moment, here’s The 5 best titles who told this complex (and very delicate) procedure.

The 5 best films to understand how the conclave works

Conclave (2024)

Based on the homonymous homonymous novel by Robert HarrisEdward Berger’s film tells The story of a conclave after the sudden death of the Popeduring which the cardinals meet to elect the new pontiff, in A context marked by intrigues, ambitions and political rivalries.

The plot focuses on Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), which guides the election process and immerses itself in dark background and in the dynamics of power that animate the Holy See. Oscar winner for the best non -original script, Sergio Castellitto also in the cast in the role of a perfidious cardinal and Isabella Rossellini in those of a nun.

Habemus Papam (2011)

Directed by Nanni Moretti and starring Michel Piccolothe film tells The story of a cardinal who, suddenly elected pope, is taken by a panic attack and runs away. To help him manage these problems, which prove to be linked to old experiences and doubts about his ability to guide the Church, he is called a psychoanalyst (Nanni Moretti). Radio Vaticana praised the loyalty of the reconstruction of the conclave and the film was called “prophetic” On the occasion of the papal renunciation by Benedict XVI in 2013.

The two popes (2019)

Released by Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins – respectively in the roles of Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI -, the film tells of relationship between the two ecclesiastics just before the latter’s resignation from the office of Pontiff and the consequent election of Francesco to Pope in 2013. Highly criticized by the Vaticanists for the inventions (and the allegations) present in the film, The two popes was Distributed directly on Netflix.

Call me Francesco – The Pope of the people (2015)

With the direction of Daniele Luchetti, the film tells The life of Pope Francisto the century Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Rodrigo de la Serna as a young man, Sergio Hernández from the elderly), born from an Italian-Argentini family. From his youth spent in Buenos Aires to the election to Pope on March 13, 2013. Far from being pure hagiography, The film is structured through a flashback series while the conclave in which Bergoglio is elected Pope takes place.

The Young Pope (2016)

Not a movie but a TV series, The Young Pope It is directed by Paolo Sorrentino and tells the beginning of the controversial pontificate of Pius XIII, aka Lenny Belardo (Jude Law). Complex and contradictory character, so conservative in his choices as to shave obscurantism but at the same time extraordinarily full of compassion for poor and weak.

First, and to date unique, Italian television series to have been nominated for Emmy and Golden Globein the cast there are also Diane Keaton, Silvio OrlandoCécile de France and James Cromwell. With a sequel, released in 2020 and always directed by Sorrentino, entitled The New Pope.

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