Originally published at The Catholic Thing
Conclave, Edward Berger’s new film, is based on the novel of that title by Robert Harris, which the movie mostly follows. The book has a curious beginning: the death of Pope Francis. Well, there’s an author’s note that ends with this disclaimer: “despite certain superficial resemblances. . .the late Holy Father depicted in Conclave [is not] meant to be a portrait of the current pope.”
Yes, but the book opens with the death of the Supreme Pontiff in his apartment at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guest house, in which no other pope has lived. None is likely to in the future, although Mr. Harris, a well-known British liberal, may hope future popes embrace Papa Bergoglio’s liberality in this regard.
But not even Francis possesses the peculiar. . .liberality of Conclave’s Cardinal Vincente Benitez.
From far and wide, they come, these red-hatted Cardinals: young and old. By tradition, they are prohibited from politicking, so, of course, at all the pre-conclave meetings, the scheming and the intriguing begin. (Spoiler alert for what follows.)
But there’s a surprise: a Cardinal shows up without the trappings of a Prince of the Church – none of the crimson finery symbolizing his willingness to
