After the Pope’s death, his ring (called the Fisherman’s Ring) is removed and destroyed
Line of Events
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secret and ancient events, the selection of a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. Many of the actions that Cardinal Lawrence and the rest of the cardinals take during the film’s conclave process are true and accurate to the Catholic faith and centuries of tradition. The Vatican makes an official announcement that the throne of the Holy See (the governing body of the Catholic Church) is vacant. The papal apartment is closed with crimson ribbon and sealed with a papal wax seal. The College of Cardinals is sequestered in apartments (the Domus Sanctae Marthae, House of Saint Martha) to eat and sleep between votes. Finally, the windows and doors of the Sistine Chapel, where the actual election takes place and the ballots are cast, are darkened, closed, and locked to maintain the secrecy of the conclave.
And therefore no need for faith
It is declared that Ayendi would be the first African Pope. The Roman Catholic Church has had three African Popes: Victor the First (189-199 CE), Miltiades (also known as Melchiades, 311-314 CE), and Gelasius the First (492-496 CE). Lawrence: Our faith is a living thing precisely because it goes hand in hand with doubt. If there were only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery. Let us pray that God will grant us a Pope who doubts. And that he will grant us a Pope who sins and asks for forgiveness and who keeps going.
And now… a movie for grown-ups
Featured on The 7PM Project: Episode dated December 10, 2024 (2024). Allegri: Miserere Performed by Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, Massimo Palombella Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GmbH Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd. Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, CONCLAVE takes viewers inside the Vatican during the selection process for the new Pope by the College of Cardinals… filled with political infighting, twists and turns, and surprises galore. And… if the average age of the people in the theater where I attended a screening is any indication…
“Grown-ups” are flocking to see this film
Directed by Edward Berger (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT), CONCLAVE moves along quickly, unraveling a mystery—not a “who done it” one, but a “who’s gonna get it” one—and it’s surprisingly tense. That’s thanks in part to the excellent actors who have been cast in this film. Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort in the HARRY POTTER films) anchors the proceedings as the “Dean” of the Cardinals who is tasked with leading the disparate group of Cardinals to a consensus selection of the next Pope. He acts as both a Detective and a Facilitator as he struggles with his own conscience of faith… and ambition… all while uncovering the schemes and plots of some of the “humble servants” vying for the highest office.
You be the judge
Helping ably are John Lithgow, Isabella Rosellini and a few others (mostly unknown) who are jockeying for “pole position” in the race to be the next Pope. Special mention should be made of the GREAT Stanley Tucci for his supporting role as one of the contenders whose platform seems to be “I don’t want it” but who, deep down, really, really wants it. Don’t be surprised if Fiennes and Tucci (as well as director Berger) are mentioned at Oscar nomination time (they are very good). As stated above, this movie has twists and turns and it’s a fun ride with those twists and turns, but if I’m honest, I felt like this movie went “one twist too far” and should have/could have ended 10 minutes earlier (without the final twist). Now, some would say that this final twist is the point of the movie, but… I would have been fine without that point being made. and join the other “adults” in the theater.