The film “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, and Stanley Tucci, was controversial but well-received when it was released in 2024. It delves into the political and religious traditions surrounding the election of a new pope by Catholic cardinals. The film took on added significance when Pope Francis passed away in April 2025, just one day after Easter Sunday. Despite some inaccuracies, the film closely follows the novel of the same name by author Robert Harris, according to Dennis Doyle, a professor emeritus at the University of Dayton who taught at the Catholic university for 40 years.
Doyle found that the film was done very accurately overall, despite some creative liberties taken. He was particularly impressed by the sympathetic portrayal of the characters in the movie. Although some Catholics criticized the film as being anti-Catholic and dishonest, Doyle felt that the film raised important questions about the role of women in the church and whether the Catholic Church can achieve gender equality. He noted that the portrayal of women as servants in the film highlights a deeper issue within the Church.
One of the more controversial aspects of the film was the depiction of an intersex character who almost becomes pope. Doyle acknowledged that this plot twist may not have been entirely realistic but saw it as a symbolic representation of the Church’s evolving conversation around gender and sexuality. He noted that the conversation on transgender issues is more prominent in the United States and Europe than in the global Catholic Church. The Vatican released a declaration in 2024 condemning gender theory and emphasizing the immutable nature of gender.
Despite its controversy, “Conclave” received several Academy Award nominations in 2025 and won for Best Adapted Screenplay. Doyle believes that the film’s release following Pope Francis’ death will generate interest in the Catholic Church and shed light on the political maneuvering that takes place during the conclave. He does not think the film will significantly impact people’s perceptions of the Church but appreciates that it makes the conclave process more intriguing. Overall, “Conclave” sparked important conversations about gender, power, and equality within the Catholic Church.
