The news of Pope Francis' sudden demise on Easter Monday, sent shockwaves around the world as religious believers, world leaders and politicians mourned his demise. Interestingly, this solemn moment in Church history sparked an outpouring of social media reactions, considering that the news comes just months after the release of the Hollywood movie 'Conclave', an Oscar-nominated film that dramatises the very process now set to unfold in Vatican City.
As preparations for the real-life events are already underway, with the Vatican beginning ceremonies for the Pope's funeral proceedings in the coming days, Conclave which was previously available on Peacock for streaming will now have its digital release on Prime Video on April 22.
Directed by Edward Berger, Conclave offers a fictionalised yet compelling portrayal of the papal election, taking viewers behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel where cardinals of the Roman Catholic order, gather to elect a new Pontiff. The film stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals, alongside an ensemble cast including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, and Sergio Castellitto.
The film has garnered widespread acclaim, earning top honours at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the EE British Academy Film Awards, and an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Many scholars have also praised the film for its accuracy, however, historians caution that no fictional depiction can fully reveal the inner workings of such a secretive process.
Conclave made its festival debut with a near-perfect 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, later settling at 93% after additional reviews. The film was a commercial success, earning over $100 million worldwide on a production budget of just $20 million. It went on to secure eight Oscar nominations earlier this year, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Fiennes, ultimately winning the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Meanwhile, in real life, Pope Francis' funeral Mass and burial will take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death, though exact dates have yet to be announced.
Following the funeral, the Church enters a nine-day period of mourning known as the 'novendiali'. During this time, cardinals from around the world will arrive in Rome to prepare for the conclave, which must begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante — Latin for “the seat is vacant” — is officially declared. The cardinals will then conduct secret ballot sessions, with the outcome communicated through smoke signals: black for no decision, white for the election of a new Pope.
Since the announcement of the Pope's passing, Ralph's moving speech in the movie has gone viral on social media as fans and faithful gather in prayer for a new leader of the Catholic Church.
As preparations for the real-life events are already underway, with the Vatican beginning ceremonies for the Pope's funeral proceedings in the coming days, Conclave which was previously available on Peacock for streaming will now have its digital release on Prime Video on April 22.
What a fantastic speech from the film Conclave (2024). And in our current environment, in which people in their eco chambers seem so certain of their point of view while those with a contradictory perspective feel equally certain of their rightness… perhaps we’d all benefit from… pic.twitter.com/hGySmn5VYS
— David Miller (@DavidShenMiller) March 20, 2025
Directed by Edward Berger, Conclave offers a fictionalised yet compelling portrayal of the papal election, taking viewers behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel where cardinals of the Roman Catholic order, gather to elect a new Pontiff. The film stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals, alongside an ensemble cast including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, and Sergio Castellitto.
The film has garnered widespread acclaim, earning top honours at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the EE British Academy Film Awards, and an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Many scholars have also praised the film for its accuracy, however, historians caution that no fictional depiction can fully reveal the inner workings of such a secretive process.
Conclave made its festival debut with a near-perfect 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, later settling at 93% after additional reviews. The film was a commercial success, earning over $100 million worldwide on a production budget of just $20 million. It went on to secure eight Oscar nominations earlier this year, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Fiennes, ultimately winning the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Meanwhile, in real life, Pope Francis' funeral Mass and burial will take place between the fourth and sixth day after his death, though exact dates have yet to be announced.
Following the funeral, the Church enters a nine-day period of mourning known as the 'novendiali'. During this time, cardinals from around the world will arrive in Rome to prepare for the conclave, which must begin 15 to 20 days after the sede vacante — Latin for “the seat is vacant” — is officially declared. The cardinals will then conduct secret ballot sessions, with the outcome communicated through smoke signals: black for no decision, white for the election of a new Pope.
Since the announcement of the Pope's passing, Ralph's moving speech in the movie has gone viral on social media as fans and faithful gather in prayer for a new leader of the Catholic Church.
You may also like
ED notice to Mahesh Babu in money laundering case linked to realty firms
IIT Guwahati: IIT Guwahati starts new bachelor course, JEE score will not be required..
Guwahati Tea Auction centre sets new record, sells tea with Rs 3,850 crore in FY 25
Violence-hit Murshidabad returns to normal amid tight security
BSHS CHO Vacancy 2025: Recruitment for 4500 posts of Community Health Officer in Bihar, apply from this date..
