How ‘Conclave’ Reflects the Real Process of Electing a New Pope

The article explores how accurately the film ‘Conclave,’ directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’s novel, portrays the real-life process of selecting a new pope—especially relevant now with a conclave scheduled for May 5 following the death of Pope Francis. The film, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, depicts cardinals from around the world gathering in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to elect a new pontiff, complete with black and white smoke signals, secret ballots, and high-stakes discussions.

While the basics are faithfully portrayed—such as cardinals residing at Casa Santa Marta, voting procedures, and the role of the camerlengo—some dramatic liberties are taken. These include the exaggeration of internal political factions and the blending of official roles into one character for narrative clarity. The film’s depiction of a ‘secret cardinal’ involved in the voting is also inaccurate; such individuals, while real in history, are not eligible to vote unless publicly acknowledged.

Despite some dramatization, experts note that the film generally respects the core of the conclave’s secretive and ceremonial nature. Its release, months before Pope Francis’s health became a public concern, adds a layer of timely relevance.