The cardinals do not always know who they're getting when they elect a pope
The "Conclave" movie, released in 2024, has sparked speculation about the upcoming conclave to elect a pope. The film accurately portrays the arcane rules and grand ceremony of the papal election, but critics argue that it doesn't get everything right. The movie excels at re-creating the look and feel of a conclave, with a focus on preconclave conversations among cardinals. However, there are slight discrepancies in the cardinals' dress, with the red in their garments being a deep red, while the reality is more orange.
Papal protocols align with real-life expectations for a quick conclave, with a long conclave sending the message of a Church divided and possibly on the verge of a schism. The voting process is depicted accurately, but ballots are burned after each session, which is typically two votes.
There are also holy plot holes in the movie, such as the admission of a cardinal in pectore into the conclave, which is considered a major mistake. The cardinals do not always know who they're getting when they elect a pope, as seen in the case of Pope Francis. For example, Pius IX was elected as a liberal and turned into an archconservative, while John XXIII was supposed to be a jolly caretaker pope and unleashed Vatican II.
Another outlandish storyline involves the dean of the College of Cardinals breaking the seal of the confessional by revealing what a nun confessed to him, which would be egregiously wrong. Additionally, a cardinal paying for votes is unheard of in modern times, and the politicking is exaggerated.
The movie also errs in making cardinals into either liberal or conservative champions, as cardinals are very cautious in expressing their opinions. Even someone we think is a liberal cardinal is pretty conservative by secular standards. Even in an unusually large conclave like this year's, the rule requiring the next pope to win at least a two-thirds majority of the vote ensures that "whatever we call extreme" likely won't get enough votes.
About the Writer
Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.
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