Most religious organizations experience a dynamic tension between conservatives and liberals as they navigate discussions around doctrine, ethics, and overall direction. Oftentimes, these debates resemble political dramas. At one point, Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) quips to a colleague, “I feel like I’m at an American political conference.”
On the conservative side, there’s an Italian cardinal resistant to the growing liberal tendencies within the Catholic Church. His traditional views on sexuality and gender, paired with his negative stance on radical Islam, paint him as a character who can be quite off-putting. He also makes no secret of his racist beliefs, particularly his objection to having a pope from Africa.
Conversely, Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) advocates for a more progressive approach regarding sexuality and gender within the Church. He emphasizes the importance of respecting diverse faiths and believes women should have a larger role in the Church. He calls for a practical perspective on issues like homosexuality and divorce.
While other candidates exist, they quickly fade from prominence; one loses support upon revelations of a child he fathered years ago, while another exits due to a financial scandal.
The film primarily unfolds through the experiences of Lawrence and Bellini but, unfortunately, tends to reduce the conservative Tedesco into a caricature. The liberal group struggles to strategize in the hushed confines of empty hallways, concerned that disunity could lead to Tedesco’s election. “If our liberals weren’t united, Tedesco would become the Pope,” Bellini notes.
In the latter half of the film, ongoing world events disrupt the Conclave, significantly impacting the election dynamics. However, it’s the last ten minutes of the film that sparks the most debate when the newly elected Pope is revealed to be intersex—visibly appearing as a man but possessing female reproductive organs and DNA.
Some viewers argue that stopping the film ten minutes prior to the conclusion would enhance its overall impact, and they may have a point.
