How accurate is 'Conclave' the movie? Film vs. real process compared, plus how to watch
Pope Francis, the former Argentinian cardinal and humble reformer who sought to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, died on April 21 after an extended respiratory illness, the Vatican confirmed.
Following his death, an assembly of cardinals, the church's most senior officials residing either at the Vatican or across the world, will gather for the election of a new pope in what's known as a conclave. The secretive papal election process inspired the 2016 Robert Harris book-turned-Oscar-winning thriller "Conclave" starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and more.
But how accurate is the movie "Conclave"? Is it streaming online? When will the real conclave process begin? Here's what to know.
What is the movie 'Conclave' about?
According to IMDB, "Conclave" follows a fictional character named Cardinal Lawrence who is tasked with leading the secretive election process of selecting a new pope. But in the process, he finds himself in a web of conspiracies that "shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church."
The film won for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars, per Paste BN.
How accurate is the movie 'Conclave'?
Although the Vatican doesn't really do Hollywood, as Paste BN writes, the filmmakers were still able to capture the nuanced details of the conclave, from elaborate clothing to Latinate voting oaths.
"We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful," says "Conclave" screenwriter Peter Straughan. "So it was a big research project, really. It's a fascinating and theatrical world, so you want to get those details right. It's a very sumptuous thing."
Vatican officials seemed OK with the shocking premise of the film, Straughan adds, as well as its portrayal of a conclave's political machinations.
Was 'Conclave' filmed in the Vatican?
No scenes in the film "Conclave" were shot in the Vatican. Instead, filmmakers had to come up with alternative movie sites.
Where was 'Conclave' filmed?
Although the actual Vatican was not shown in the film, most scenes were shot in Rome, with one exception. Scenes featuring the Sistine Chapel were recreated on a soundstage, and Michelangelo's famous ceiling was a computer-generated replica of the real thing.
Do the cardinals really get sequestered like juries until they choose a pope?
Yes. As shown in "Conclave," once a Vatican official faces the assembled cardinals and says the words "extra omnes" (or "everyone out"), the cardinals are only allowed to interact with each other.
There are, however, some officials who can act as emissaries on an as-needed basis, even if the cardinals themselves cannot leave until a successful ballot is cast. A successful ballot means one cardinal receives two-thirds of the votes and is elected pope.
Do cardinals who gather for a conclave sleep on the premises?
The cardinals stay at the Casa Santa Marta, a fairly simple dormitory on Vatican grounds. They are allowed to mix and mingle in nearby buildings and courtyards, and dine together in a cafeteria setting staffed by nuns.
When will the conclave begin?
Usually, the conclave begins within 15 to 20 days after the papacy, or the office of the pope, is vacated.
How long does the conclave last?
There is no specific timeline for the conclave, Paste BN reports. Cardinals will stay in the conclave for as long as needed until a new pope is selected.
Where does the conclave take place?
Cardinal electors meet in the Sistine Chapel, which is located in the Vatican.
What happens during the conclave?
When cardinals assemble to elect a pope, they vote as often as four times a day, especially on the first day or two, to determine which candidates are most likely to garner a majority vote.
One by one, the cardinals place their folded ballots atop a round plate and slide it into an oval urn while reciting an oath. As "Conclave" shows, those ballots are sewn together with a needle and thread, and then burned with a chemical to send either black smoke, meaning a stalemate, or white, signifying "habemus papam" − "we have a pope."
Not all cardinals get to vote, though. Since 1975, only those younger than 80 can participate in the papal conclave.
As of Jan. 22, there were 252 cardinals, of whom 138 are electors, according to the Vatican.
What was the longest conclave ever?
The longest conclave in history occurred in the 13th century, when it took cardinals nearly three years to elect Pope Gregory X.
But in modern times, papal conclaves have been much shorter: The longest conclave in the 20th century lasted five days. In 2013, Pope Francis was elected in a little over 24 hours.
Where to watch 'Conclave'
Unfortunately, "Conclave" is not available to stream for free online. The movie was previously streaming on Peacock but was removed last week, per Decider.
However, you can buy or rent the film for $5.99 on YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home and Amazon Prime Video.