With the death of Pope Francis on Sunday, April 20, 2025, the Catholic Church begins the traditional conclave process to elect its new spiritual leader.
This millennia-old event, steeped in ritual and symbolism, recently gained mainstream attention through the film Conclave (2024), winner of the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, the movie offers a dramatized yet intriguing glimpse behind the scenes of papal selection.
The Real Conclave: Tradition and Procedures
After the pontiff's death, the Vatican enters a period known as sede vacante (vacant seat). During this time, the camerlengo — currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell — assumes temporary administration of the Holy See, handling day-to-day matters and organizing the Pope’s funeral.
Between 15 and 20 days after the death, cardinals under the age of 80 gather in the Sistine Chapel for the conclave. Isolated from the outside world, they take part in secret ballots until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority. The white smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney announces to the world the election of a new pope.
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Conclave (2024) movie: When Art Imitates Life
The film Conclave depicts the election of a new pope following the sudden death of the Holy Father. In the story, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) leads the process, facing intrigue and revelations that threaten to shake the foundations of the Church. While fictional, the plot addresses themes like ambition, faith, and power, reflecting the complexities of the real conclave.
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| Luiz Pagano at the Vatican - In 2013 he published a monograph that analyzes the organizational structure of the Catholic Church from a corporate perspective, drawing parallels between the functioning of the Holy See and the management model of a multinational company — highlighting aspects such as leadership, governance, succession and global presence. |
With a standout cast including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, the film was acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, grossing over $100 million worldwide. In addition to the Oscar, it received awards at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes, establishing itself as a timely and relevant work.
Reality and Fiction: Points of Convergence
Though dramatized, Conclave provides an engaging portrayal of the papal selection process, highlighting the tensions and challenges faced by the cardinals. The recent death of Pope Francis has sparked renewed discussion on succession and the Church’s future, making the film all the more relevant.
Although both play crucial roles during the sede vacante, the camerlengo and the dean of the College of Cardinals have distinct functions: the camerlengo — currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell — manages the day-to-day affairs of the Holy See and organizes the conclave after the pope’s death. The dean, the role played by Ralph Fiennes in Conclave, presides over the College of Cardinals during the election, guiding discussions and promoting consensus. While the camerlengo keeps the Church "machine" running, the dean leads the spiritual discernment for choosing the next pontiff.
Top Contenders to Become the Next Pope
Here’s a list of the most likely candidates to succeed Pope Francis, based on their backgrounds, theological outlooks, and geographic representation:
1 Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)
Former Archbishop of Manila and current Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Seen as an “Asian Francis,” Tagle is progressive, charismatic, and has broad global appeal. His election would make him the first Asian pope in history.
2 Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy)
Vatican Secretary of State, Parolin is a seasoned diplomat and moderate, with strong ties across Church factions. His election would continue the Italian papal tradition and offer institutional continuity.
3 Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy)
Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Known for his social justice work and openness to pastoral reform, including blessing same-sex couples.
4 Cardinal Robert Sarah (Guinea)
Former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and a leading conservative voice. His election would represent a return to traditionalism and make him the first African pope in centuries.
5 Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Archbishop of Kinshasa and president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. A strong advocate for social and environmental justice.
6 Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary)
Archbishop of Budapest and a renowned canon law scholar. Highly respected for his intellect and diplomatic skills. He would offer a balance between tradition and modernity in Central Europe.
7 Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France)
Archbishop of Marseille, Aveline is known for promoting interfaith dialogue and migrant integration. His election would emphasize multicultural coexistence in Europe.
8 Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner (Brazil)
Archbishop of Manaus, Steiner is a strong advocate for the Amazon and Indigenous peoples. His papacy would underscore the Church’s ecological and Latin American focus.
These cardinals represent the geographic and theological diversity of today’s Catholic Church. The choice of the next pope will depend on balancing tradition and renewal, while representing the global community of believers.
For those curious about the inner workings of the conclave and Vatican politics, Conclave offers a compelling — though fictionalized — entry point into this world of secrecy, spirituality, and power.
