How a new pope is chosen

The film Conclave depicts the process of electing a new pope, and the film embellishes its incredible acting drama with serious attention to the real-life process. Ralph Fiennes leads Conclave released as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, dean of the College of Cardinals, who leads the electoral process for a new pope. While kidnapped, several cardinals such as Bellini (Stanley Tucci), Tremblay (John Lithgow), Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), Adeyemi (Msamati) and Benitez (Carlos Diehz) vie for the papacy, and several ominous secrets are discovered about each one. man.

On the exciting journey to Conclave plot twist finale, Cardinal Lawrence navigates the disparate opinions of various candidates. Tedesco is a harsh traditionalist, Bellini is a progressive liberal and Adeyemi is economically liberal but socially conservative. This puts Lawrence in a conflict of interest, as he could also be a potential candidate, and his reluctance to see himself as such could make him the perfect man for the job. But Lawrence breaks a few rules throughout the film, and it’s fascinating to read about how the papal conclave would be conducted. and what are the differences from the film.

How a new pope is chosen in real life

Cardinals are summoned around the world to participate in the Conclave

Leaders of the Roman Catholic Church have been meeting in Vatican City for exclusive elections, known as papal conclaves, for more than a millennium. To this day, the papal conclave is held in the historic Sistine Chapel, as has been the case since 1878, when Leo XIII was elected. The current Pope Francis, appointed in 2013, was elected through this process at the age of 76. Voting for a new pope is a highly secretive process held behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapelwhich is checked for microphones and cameras before the procedure begins.

While sequestered, the cardinals are not allowed to talk about the ongoing electoral process with anyone outside, otherwise they would be excommunicated. Each cardinal receives a paper ballot with the message “Eligo in Summun Pontificem,” a Latin phrase for “I elect as supreme pontiff.” An important detail is that Cardinals cannot write their own name. The cardinals, in order of seniority, then walk to an altar, one at a time, to place their ballots in a chalice before the results are tallied and read aloud to those present.

A cardinal is required to receive a two-thirds majority of all votes to become the new pope. If a new pope is chosen, white smoke will come from the roof of the Vatican, revealing to the world that a decision has been made. However, if a decision is not made, the ballots will be burned with an additional chemical that turns the smoke black. In this case, the conclave resumes, with two to four more votes per day. If, on the fifth day, the decision has not been made, the cardinals will pause for prayer and discussion before continuing.

Who votes for the new Pope

The College of Cardinals votes for the new Pope

When the time comes to hold a papal conclave, every cardinal in the world under the age of 80 must travel to Rome to participate in the process. Overall, around 120 participants are expected to attend, making a two-thirds majority of around 80. In the election of Pope Francis in 2013, 115 cardinals attended. Two masters of ceremonies will also be present, some of the only non-cardinals allowed to enter the chapel during the election process. Some cardinals are also given special roles in elections.

Dean of the College of Cardinals is a position established since the 12th centurywith the responsibility of presiding over the College of Cardinals. This includes summoning the cardinals to the conclave and overseeing the process. The rector will normally have a vice-rector, in the case where the rector himself may be elected pope, so that someone is prepared to take on the rector’s responsibilities to complete the process. There have been nine cases in history when the rector was elected the new pope.

In addition to the rector, nine cardinals are chosen at random to perform various roles in the electoral process. Three are selected as voting judges, called “scrutineers,” three are selected to collect votes from cardinals who are restricted to their quarters due to illness, and three are selected to double-check the work of the scrutineers. Non-cardinals, including masters of ceremonies, are not permitted to be present in the chapel while cardinals write their vows.

Can only cardinals become the pope?

Technically, any baptized Catholic man can be elected pope

Since 1379, all popes of the Roman Catholic Church have been members of the College of Cardinals. However, there is no rule that establishes that they are the only ones who can be elected. Technically, any baptized Catholic man can be elected, but a non-cardinal has not been elected since Pope Urban VIwho was an archbishop. While it is possible to elect a non-cardinal, it is typical for cardinals to select among themselves, carrying out a process similar to that depicted in the film.

How accurate is the Conclave Pope selection process

Conclave misses some details, but gets the important elements right

Reviews for Conclave have highlighted the film’s attention to detail in terms of setting and production design, but the film’s depiction of the papal conclave is also quite accurate. There are some differences in the details and mentioned aspects of the real-life process that are left out of the film, such as the absence of the vice-rector and the positions indicated, such as “scrutineer”. Some aspects, such as Lawrence’s meetings with Monsignor Raymond O’Malley would likely not be possible in real life, as not even the rector would be allowed to speak to anyone from the outside world. while kidnapped.

O’Malley’s use of outside information heightens the drama in Conclave and it works to the film’s benefit, but the rules that Lawrence breaks go beyond the bounds of fiction. Isabella Rossellini’s role as Sister Agnes probably has more autonomy than she would have in real life, supporting the film’s feminist themes. Lawrence is shown voting for himself at the end of Conclaveand it’s implied that other cardinals did the same throughout the film, which technically wouldn’t be allowed. The overall process is handled by the film with sophistication, although some details are obscured by the cinematic drama.