Overview

• Pope Francis passed away on April 20 at age 88 due to a cerebral stroke, coma, and heart failure, according to an official Vatican statement.
• The papal conclave to elect his successor will commence on May 5, with up to 235 cardinals sequestered at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City to ensure an uninfluenced decision.
• The film 'Conclave' accurately portrays key aspects of the election process, including cardinal seclusion, voting rituals, and the symbolic black and white smoke signals.
• The movie takes creative liberties, combining the roles of the camerlengo and dean of the College of Cardinals, which in reality are distinct offices held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, respectively.
• Filming inside the Vatican is prohibited, so the production recreated Vatican settings in Rome, with the filmmakers receiving a private Vatican tour for research.