Overview

• 'Conclave,' directed by Edward Berger, dramatizes the Vatican's secretive papal election process and won Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2025 Academy Awards.
• Streaming viewership of the film spiked by 283% following the death of Pope Francis, drawing renewed attention to its portrayal of Vatican politics.
• The movie blends procedural accuracy with creative liberties, including conflating key roles and depicting a secret cardinal participating in the election.
• Critics and church figures remain divided on its cultural and theological messaging, with some praising its themes of faith and progress while others criticize its 'woke' elements.
• The film's final twist has fueled further debate, highlighting tensions between tradition and reform within the Catholic Church.