Modern popes have turned the into a fortress. To prevent leaks—and the infamous "smoke of Satan" political infighting—the Vatican deploys state-of-the-art counter-surveillance.
At the heart of the film stands Cardinal Thomas Lomeli (a career-defining performance by Ralph Fiennes), the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Lomeli is a weary, introspective liberal who has lost his faith not in God, but in the institution of the Church. He is the reluctant detective thrust into a mystery following the sudden death of the popular, progressive Pope. As he oversees the election, he uncovers secrets about the leading candidates—each representing a different crisis facing modern Catholicism.
During this time, the governance of the Vatican shifts. The College of Cardinals, led by the Camerlengo (Cardinal Chamberlain), handles the day-to-day affairs of the Holy See. They do not have the authority to make new laws or appoint new bishops; their primary job is to organize the funeral of the deceased Pope and prepare for the election. Conclave
When white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the world stops. It is one of the most enduring and recognizable symbols of transition in global history. But the spectacle of the smoke is merely the final act of a secretive, ancient, and highly regimented process known as the Conclave.
For centuries, the term has evoked images of billowing black or white smoke, cardinals whispering in shadows, and a political drama more intense than any thriller. But what actually happens when the Pope dies or resigns? How does a small group of princes of the Church choose the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics? This article unpacks the history, rules, suspense, and surprising modernity of the Papal Conclave . Modern popes have turned the into a fortress
History’s fastest in the modern era elected Pius XII in 1939 (one day). The longest in the 20th century lasted five days. The Conclave of 2013 that elected Pope Francis took five ballots over two days.
This period usually lasts between 15 to 20 days, allowing cardinals from around the world time to travel to Rome. It is a time of "General Congregations," where the cardinals meet daily to discuss the needs of the Church and the qualities required in the next pontiff. This is where the "campaigning" subtly occurs, as cardinals size up potential candidates, known in Italian as papabili . Lomeli is a weary, introspective liberal who has
This ordeal led to the formalization of the process in 1274 by through the decree Ubi Periculum . It mandated:
While most synonymous with the election of a new Pope, the "conclave" has evolved into a broader term for any secret, high-stakes gathering of power and intellect. Whether in the Sistine Chapel or a corporate boardroom, the essence of a conclave remains the same: a total withdrawal from the world to forge a consensus that will shape the future. 1. The Historical Origins: Locking in the Holy Spirit