It was a wet afternoon, so we decided to go to the cinema, something we hadn’t frequently done since we got out of the habit during lockdown. There was a choice, Paddington in Peru or Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes. Conclave won.
On the surface, Conclave would have made an excellent documentary on the selection of a new Pope, the Holy Father, as referred to in the film. The setting of the Sistine Chapel with; iconic ceiling paintings frequently shown, the fitting of the window seals to enclose the proceedings, the locking of the great wooden door and the Casa Santa Maria where the cardinals would eat and sleep were so authentic. On the surface this could have been a documentary about the proceedings of electing a new Pope after the sudden, but expected because of a heart condition, death of the Holy Father.
The story
Cardinals from all over the world arrived by air. The nuns arrived by bus, quietly scurrying after Sister Agnes to begin their tasks of caring for the cardinals in Martha-like fashion, not speaking but working arduously to provide food with Sister Agnes supervising and butler-like checking the tables were correctly laid out.
But all was not as it seemed. The story revolves around, not the selection of the new Holy Father being guided by the Holy Spirit as it should have been but intrigues and power struggles of those wishing to become Pope. Layer after layer of the plot indicating this struggle is revealed throughout the film.
The late Pope had been a liberal reformist determined to root out corruption and guide the Catholic Church towards relevance in the modern world. Traditionalists were averse to these ideas and changes and wished to return to a more radical past. This led to the struggle for power between the two factions.
There was concern, particularly highlighted by one cardinal, of creating adverse press and media publicity as had been the case in past child abuse cases. This must be avoided at all cost. Secrets do, however, begin to emerge.
The characters
The names of the major fictional characters in Harris’s well-researched book are the same, except for Ralph Fiennes role as Cardinal Lawrence, Cardinal Lomeli. Cardinal Lawrence is the Dean, the organiser of the Conclave. Prior to the death of the late Pope, he had indicated that he wished to be relieved of the post of Dean, becoming a shepherd rather than an administrator. The Pope had refused his request, probably knowing that, if anyone, Cardinal Lawrence would unearth truths that would eventually lead to what would appear to be, the late Pope’s choice as his successor as Holy Father.
Layers of intrigue
Throughout the story, layers of intrigue for the position of power are removed. One layer is wrapped up in racism and the question of whether Cardinal Adeyemi should become the first black Pope. There is an incident in the dining room between Sister Shamini and Cardinal Adeyemi resulting in the discovery of their child conceived many years previously. That layer removes this cardinal from the race to power.
Simony is discovered, an ancient system now condemned by the church that had previously been used to sell positions in the church. Details of bank statements had been discovered revealing that simony had taken place. Another prospective candidate was removed.
The procedure continued. Vote after vote led to yet more black smoke emitting from the chimney. Two candidates were ahead, the reactionary Cardinal Tredsco who wanted to return to traditional beliefs and the elimination of reforms and Cardinal Lawrence who wished to continue what the late Pope had begun. Ralph Fiennes represents this character so well. He is quiet, rather understated and thoughtful. Cardinal Benitez had earlier voted for Lawrence and insisted he would continue to do so. Cardinal Lawrence unusually raises his voice to repeat he does not want this vote but immediately apologises for his lack of restraint in such a voice that one believes he is truly sorry.
Later when the situation appears to be between Lawrence and Tedesco, between liberalism and traditionalism, the liberal Cardinal Bellini thinks Lawrence is the only hope, so he asks him what he would like to be called when elected Pope. Despite his previous protestations of not wanting power, Cardinal Lawrence replies ‘John’, so he too is flawed.
There are serious problems outside the Vatican. Terrorists will detonate bombs. People will be killed. Voting is taking place. Dean Lawrence votes first, writing down his own name. The instant that he places the paper into the receptacle, a sudden explosion rocks the building. Debris cascades from the ceiling. Burst of light illuminate though the now broken window seals. Lawrence falls to the floor. It is almost as if divine intervention from God and the late Pope has condemned this act.
Later in a small room, there is a debate. The reactionary Tedesco calls for war, war against the Muslims who have not only killed innocents in the city but are also taking over the Christian faith. This has echoes of Pope Urban ll who began the first Crusade by urging Christians to arms in response to the expansion of Islam. The small quiet voice of the young Cardinal Vincent Benitez, a cardinal newly created by the late pope, speaks up against war and its consequences. He is duly elected as the new Holy Father.
How did the information come about? Another layer once removed reveals that the late Holy Father had been spying on the cardinals. Cardinal Lawrence had broken the holy seal of the late pope’s rooms and had discovered hidden papers leading to the revelation of the information. The quiet Martha, provider of food, became Mary who sat beneath the feet of Jerus. She spoke up in the dining room of the reason why Cardinal Lawrence had entered the late Pope’s apartment and found the hidden papers, justifying Lawrence’s behaviour.
It was as if by spying, the Holy Father had manipulated the choice of the next Pope. What was not revealed to the other cardinals was the truth about the physical nature of Cardinal Vincent Benitez, a secret that would be known not only by the late Pope but by a selected few.
Cardinal Benitez, instantly chose his name as Pope Innocent. Pope Innocent lll died in 1216, known as one of the most powerful popes in the Middle Ages who strengthened the Catholic Church. He was elected at age of only 37, similar to the age of Cardinal Benitez, unlike many of the elderly cardinals who elected him. Pope Innocent lll not only reformed the church in many ways but he also called for the abolition of simony and it was he who made it a serious sin.
Robert Harris and his research took the conclave of choosing a new Pope and transformed it into an account of political intrigue and a power struggle with a typical Harris ending with a thoughtful twist. I’ll see the adorable Paddington at another time, maybe another wet afternoon!
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