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Upon the pope’s death, his ring (called the Fisherman’s Ring) is actually removed and destroyed
Chronology
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the most secret and ancient events in the world, the election of a new pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. Many of the actions that Cardinal Lawrence and the other cardinals take during the conclave process in the film are true and accurate to the Catholic faith and centuries of tradition. The Vatican really does officially declare the throne of the Holy See (the governing body of the Catholic Church) vacant. The papal apartment is really closed with a scarlet ribbon and sealed with the papal wax seal. The College of Cardinals really is secluded in apartments (called the Domus Sanctae Marthae or House of Saint Martha in real life) to eat and sleep between votes.
Therefore, there is no need for faith
And finally, the windows and doors of the Sistine Chapel, where the actual elections take place and votes are cast, are actually darkened, closed and locked, to preserve the secrecy of the conclave. It has been stated that Ayendi will be the first African Pope. The Roman Catholic Church has had three African Popes: Victor I (189-199 CE), Miltiades (also known as Melchiades, 311-314 CE), and Gelasius I (492-496 CE). Lawrence: Our faith is a living thing precisely because it goes hand in hand with doubt. If there were only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery.
Greetings from the Darkness
Let us pray that God gives us a Pope who doubts. And may he give us a Pope who sins and asks for forgiveness and who perseveres. Featured on The 7PM Project: Episode from December 10, 2024 (2024). Allegri: MisererePerformed by Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, Massimo PalombellaCourtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GMBHUnder license from Universal Music Operations Ltd. It seems like it’s been a while since we’ve had a good, old-fashioned, serious, suspenseful, “big” drama starring big movie stars.
Ralph Fiennes gives perhaps his best performance yet
Well, that’s exactly what director Edward Berger, fresh off his Oscar-winning ALL QUIET ON THE WEST (2022), is serving up with his latest. Writer Peter Straughan (TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, 2011) adapted Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, and the result is a much-welcomed film that could earn it some Oscar consideration. And that’s saying something for this widely respected actor, who has previously found success in films like SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993), THE CONSTANT GARDENER (2005), IN BRUGES (2008), THE BIGGER PEAK (2018), and THE MENU (2022). His impressive career is further highlighted by this latest role as Cardinal Lawrence, burdened with facilitating the titular conclave that elects a new pope. At the beginning of the film, the beloved pope has just passed away… and as they say, “let the games begin.” Of course, these games are all about political maneuvering, power struggles, and backroom promises.
Either way, Cardinal Adivemi, played by Luciano Msmuati, is a victim of Tremblay’s actions
Director Berger opts to show us very little of the actual negotiations, instead exposing the different iterations of loyalty during each secret (of course) vote. Within the confines of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Lawrence spends most of his time investigating clues, chastising others for their behavior, and dealing with the enormous egos of the few considered (including himself). Stanley Tucci plays Cardinal Bellini, who pretends not to want the job while campaigning as the “progressive” voice the Church needs right now. John Lithgow plays Cardinal Tremblay, one of the most assertive of the ambitious, who may or may not have deliberately undermined someone else’s work.