Cardinals Observe Conclave for Insights into Upcoming Event

Edward Berger's thrilling film, *Conclave*, captivated audiences last year with its deep dive into the secretive world of the papal election process, an aspect of Catholicism rarely seen by the public. As the world's Cardinals prepare to convene for an actual conclave following the death of Pope Francis in late April, the film's influence is strikingly evident. Some of the participating religious leaders have turned to *Conclave* for a glimpse into the ritual they are about to undertake.

A papal cleric involved in the conclave process shared with Politico that Berger's movie, featuring the esteemed Ralph Fiennes as the dean of the College of Cardinals, has been hailed as "remarkably accurate" by some of the Cardinals themselves. The cleric further noted that "some [Cardinals] have watched it in the cinema," highlighting the film's role in preparing them for the real event.

The passing of Pope Francis, just months after the film's release, set the stage for the upcoming conclave. Starting on Wednesday, May 7, 133 high-ranking clerics from around the globe will gather in the Sistine Chapel to deliberate and vote on the next leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.

Many of these Cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis and have never experienced a conclave before. This makes it understandable that they would seek guidance from a film like *Conclave*, especially those from smaller or more remote parishes who might not have easy access to such insights. The film thus serves as a valuable resource, offering a preview of the solemn and intricate process they are about to engage in.