Is Conclave Based On A True Story?

The inner workings of the Vatican, the historical and intriguing center of Catholicism, instantly hook the viewer into the narrative of Conclave. Conclave depicts a new pope being chosen, a complex process full of intense secrecy and sacred rituals. With great attention to detail and excellent cinematography, the movie delves into the ancient traditions surrounding the selection of a new pope, offering an intense exploration of faith, ambition, and intrigue at the highest levels of the Catholic Church.

However, its invocation of realism may be somewhat confusing. Conclave delivers powerful, moderately truthful storytelling and captivates the audience, with twists and turns that hit time and time again. Featuring a fantastic build-up and even greater payoffs, Conclave‘s final twist is particularly shocking. Yet, after watching Conclave‘s intricate ending, many audience members are likely left with a burning question in their minds: “Is Conclave based on a true story?”

Conclave Is Not Based On A True Story

Conclave Is Realistic But Not Real

Conclave draws inspiration from the real traditions and grandeur of papal elections, but its plot and characters are products of the imagination. The team behind Conclave have an impeccable talent for mixing factual elements with fictional intrigue. The film presents the election of a new pope following the death of the previous one, thrusting the cardinals into a dramatic and suspense-filled process that exposes internal politics, hidden motives, and moral dilemmas.

The film makes no claims of recounting a historical papal election. Instead, the creators weave together pieces of the actual election procedure with the original characters, infusing the story with fictional scenarios designed to enhance the tension. For example, while a real Conclave involves strict protocols and an air of reverence, Robert Harris’s story delves deeper into power struggles among cardinals, conspiracies, and personal ambition — all elements that make for a gripping narrative, even if they don’t reflect the true nature of every Conclave.

Conclave Is Based On A Book By Robert Harris

Harris Is A Fantastic Writer Of Realistic Thrillers Like Conclave

Conclave is an adaptation of Robert Harris’s 2016 novel of the same name. Harris is acclaimed for his ability to create thrillers grounded in real events and settings, and, in Conclave, he brings his skills to the rituals of the Catholic Church. While Harris was inspired by real papal elections and the unique customs of the Vatican, he crafted a fictional story to explore the ethical and personal dimensions of those involved. He researched papal history and consulted sources to accurately depict the physical and procedural aspects of the Conclave, but the story remains entirely a work of fiction.

Reviews praise Conclave‘s shocking drama that involves the film and the novel exploring the fascinating dynamics between cardinals. It touches on the idea that each of these influential men, all of whom are contenders for the most powerful religious role in the world, harbor their own ambitions and failings. This portrayal, while fictional, serves as an engaging lens through which to examine human nature in a setting where secrecy, ritual, and morality intersect for an election not too different from elections in the modern day.

How Conclave Compares To The Real Pope

Conclave Is A Great Yet Sometimes Overdramatic Portrayal Of The Catholic Church

While Conclave includes certain rituals and processes that are accurate to the Vatican’s traditions, there are notable differences when it comes to the portrayal of the cardinals and the election itself. In real life, the Conclave is a highly structured event conducted with deep respect and gravity. Cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel, where they engage in rounds of prayer, reflection, and voting, seeking divine guidance in selecting a new pope. The process is meticulously organized to prevent outside interference and maintain confidentiality, with voting done on paper ballots that are burned after each round.

Conclave takes liberties with this process by adding layers of suspense and inter-cardinal rivalry, in contrast to the more spiritual nature of the real-life selection of the Pope. Harris’s narrative in Conclave amplifies internal conflicts and personal agendas, hinting at power dynamics and secret alliances within the election process. Though these elements heighten the drama, they diverge from the solemnity and unity often seen in real Conclaves.

In addition, the cardinals depicted in the film have complex backstories and motivations, highlighting themes of power, fear, and forgiveness, which, while compelling, may exaggerate the intensity of such dynamics in reality. While Conclave does a great job of feeling like a work of nonfiction, it is based on a book, and some of its portrayals are overdramatized. As such, Conclave is not based on a true story.

Other Movies About The Pope That Were Actual True Stories

Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, And Pope Pius XII Have Appeared In Movies

While Conclave features a fictional pope, there have been some notable movies that deal with real-life figures who have held this holy position in history. Some of the films have examined critical times in the history of a papacy, such as 2003’s Amen. The historical drama details the relationship between the Vatican and Nazi Germany during World War II, with Marcel Iureş as Pope Pius XII. Likewise, The Agony and the Ecstasy details the conflict between Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) and Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison) during the painting of the Sistine Chapel.

Perhaps the best modern example of such a movie is the Oscar-nominated Two Popes. The film is hypothetical in concept but deals with two real-life popes as it tells the story of a meeting between Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) as the former was deciding to abdicate the papacy and convince the latter to take the position. The movie details the supposed conversations between two men who had very different views on Catholicism.

Also, while The Godfather Part III features a fictional pope, it is loosely based on the papacy of Pope John Paul, who died 33 days after taking the position. All of these movies differ greatly from Conclave but show how many stories can be told about such a powerful position.