‘Conclave' true in spirit to papal elections: Entertainment editor

Yahoo

04-05-2025

(NewsNation) — The fictional 2024 thriller 'Conclave,' a movie about the intrigue-filled election of a new pope, is finding a new life on streaming platforms following the death of Pope Francis.
As cardinals gather in Rome to determine the Catholic Church's next leader, some may wonder: How realistic is the Oscar-winning film?
Deadline executive editor Dominic Patten is no insider to papal elections but said 'Conclave' appears to be true in spirit, if not in every detail, to the conclave process.
'From what I've heard, it got things about as right as you can if you're telling a movie,' Patten told 'NewsNation Prime' on Saturday. 'It's trying to tell a story in around two hours, and so they need drama … to get you there.'
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He noted that Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, the former archbishop of Boston who participated in the last conclave, said the movie did not reflect his experience.
'He talked about a much more contemplative, introspective process,' Patten said.
Tellingly, he added, the Vatican has not criticized the film.
Either way, Patten said, the public seems eager to get some insight into the mysterious process of selecting a new pope.
'This gives us, as much as we can get, a window into one of the most important, yet still incredibly secretive, elections that happen in the world,' he said.
The critically acclaimed 'Conclave,' which stars Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, is based on the best-selling novel by Rober Harris. Earlier this year, the film won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
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