After Pope Francis’ Passing, Oscar-Nominated 'Conclave' Sparks Debate Over Papal Election Portrayal

Edward Berger’s mystery thriller "Conclave" has been at the center of Oscar buzz and religious debate, and now, with the death of Pope Francis at age 88, the spotlight couldn’t be brighter on the centuries-old traditions of electing a new pope.

The film, released in October 2024, arrived just as Pope Francis’ health began to fail publicly. After a battle with bilateral pneumonia, the Vatican announced his passing on April 21, 2025. Timing, as they say, is everything—even for the big screen.

"Conclave," an adaptation of Robert Harris’s novel, stars Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, and Stanley Tucci, and takes viewers deep into the secretive and, frankly, dramatic rituals of the Catholic Church’s leadership selection. The movie is being praised for its accurate depiction of papal elections—though, as Professor Dennis Doyle, a theologian from Ohio’s University of Dayton, points out, there are a few Hollywood tweaks. Apparently, in real life, the carpet in the conclave isn’t red but beige. Who knew the Vatican had such a neutral color palette?

Doyle, who taught Catholic studies for four decades, notes that while the film gets most of the atmosphere right, things like the seating arrangement and voting process are staged for dramatic effect. Still, Doyle found the movie to be "very accurately" done overall and was impressed by how even the most powerful characters were portrayed with a touch of sympathy—a rare feat in stories about ancient power structures.

He did, however, raise an eyebrow at the film’s ending. In both the book and movie, a key character’s gender identity takes center stage: transgender in the novel, intersex in the film. Doyle called this plotline "far-fetched"—not because the church is known for its open-minded casting calls, but because it seems unlikely that someone with such an identity would be elected pope today. Symbolically, though, Doyle found the ending thought-provoking, as it nudges viewers to consider the role of women and gender diversity in church leadership. That’s a conversation the real Vatican hasn’t exactly RSVP’d to yet.

Some Catholics online slammed "Conclave" as "anti-Catholic" and "dishonest," especially regarding its portrayal of women. In the movie, nuns serve the cardinals, whereas in reality, Vatican staff handle the logistics—so, less "Sister Act," more "Downton Abbey" behind the scenes.

Doyle reminded everyone that the film’s focus on gender issues is more of a modern, Western debate than a global church conversation. In fact, just last year, the Vatican released a document—Dignitas Infinita—where Pope Francis denounced gender theory, stating that attempts to alter gender are misguided.

Despite all the controversy, Doyle suspects "Conclave" will boost public curiosity about how popes are really chosen. The politicking and backroom deals might be more subtle in real life, but the intrigue is definitely real. And if nothing else, the movie makes the conclave look a lot more interesting than just a bunch of old men locked in a room.

"Conclave" didn’t just stir up debate; it also racked up awards, nabbing Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor, and winning for Best Adapted Screenplay. Now, with the real-life papal succession looming, it seems Hollywood and the Vatican are sharing the stage in ways neither could have scripted.