Will the election of a new pope take place just like in Conclave?

What happens now that Pope Francis died at the age of 88? If you have seen Conclaveyou know the answer (more or less). The 2024 film winner of an Oscar winner is focused on the homonymous procedure that leads to the election of a new Pope. And as soon as the news of the death of the current pope has spread on Monday morning, social media filled themselves with memes that referred to Conclave as of real updates from Vatican City.

“This will be the most sequel conclave ever,” wrote a user of X, “above all because now we all know what a conclave is.” Another joked: «It is incredible, now we will look forever Conclave like a Christmas movie every time a Pope dies “

For those who need a review: the film is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris on the search for a new pope, led by Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), whose crisis of faith affects his opinions regarding those who will have to govern. Initially, Lawrence supports the progressive American candidate, Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), who clashes with more conservative opponents such as the Italian candidate, the German cardinal (Sergio Castellitto), as well as with more moderate contenders such as Cardinal Tremblay from Canada (John Lithgow) and Cardinal Adeymi from Nigeria (Lucian msamati). To acute the already intense political campaign for the place at the top is Sister Agnes, played by Isabella Rosselliniwhich provides fundamental information on candidates who have some skeletons in the closet.

In the end, it is the mysterious cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz) by Kabul, who had been appointed in secret by the deceased Pope just before dying, to ensure the papal throne, despite holding the biggest secret of all. Benitez, in fact, was born intersex.

Conclave he collected more than 100 million dollars worldwide and made the screenwriter win Peter Straughan An Oscar for the best non -original screenplay. But the film “has very little to do” with the actual secular ritual of selection of the new pope, said the director Edward Berger. “It is not even a criticism of the Church,” said Berger a Vanity Fair. “He really observes people of that faith honesty, trying to understand and tell the story of everyone.”

When the directors were contacted by VF For a comment on the death of Pope Francis, a representative replied: “Both Peter and Edward are sorry for the Pope’s disappearance. At this moment they have nothing else to add to the discussion ».

But while a real conclave is looming, the ability of their film to grasp “both the seriousness of this procedure and its theatrical ridiculousness”, as he said Richard Lawson Of VFlent itself to more than one animated online discussion. Even the actor Brían F. O’byrnethat in Conclave He played O’Malley, the assistant of Cardinal Lawrence, came into action, writing “here we are. We are ready »accompanying a photo of him in costume on the set.

A social profile called @Clubconcrave (an allusion to the news account on pop crave celebrities as well as to the main fan of Timothée Chalamet, Chalamet club) continues to provide colorful comments on how much to expect, by reporting the main candidates for the papal throne as well as providing useful graphic information on the voting procedure to elect the Pope

Since the last pope, Benedetto, had resigned from his assignment in 2013 (an act that provided inspiration for The two popesfilm of 2019 nominated for Oscar) before his death in 2022, the funeral ceremony for Francesco will resemble that of John Paul II, who died in 2005 and buried six days later. As NBC News reports, to serve as a guide for the “papal interregno”, or the period between the death of a pope and the election of the next, it will be a 20 -page document called Dominici Gregis universes (in Latin “shepherd of the entire flock of the Lord”).

The first conclave, a term that derives from cum clave (in Latin «[chiuso] With the key »), it took place in 1276 with the death of Pope Gregory X, after he had decreed, in 1274, that during the choice of the new Pope the voters had to isolate themselves from the outside world. As seen in the film, it is expected that up to 120 Catholic cardinals (all under 80 years old) from all over the world will gather in the Sistine Chapel within 15-20 days from the Pope’s death. After taking a trip of secrecy, the group will remain isolated from all the media and will vote several times a day until it reaches a majority of two thirds.

After each day of resolution, the cardinals retire to the House of Santa Marta, a hotel building located inside the Vatican city. The screenwriter of Conclave He said that these relatively modest accommodations inspired him to include scenes of fake cardinal who smoke electronic cigarettes and fool with the espresso machines between one vote and another. “Visually you get this strange mix of absolute ancient beauty and vastness of spaces, which contrasts a lot with this air almost from the business conference center,” said Straughhan a USA TODAY last autumn.

Two stoves are located near the entrance of the chapel. An emitter black smoke, which means that no decision has been made. The other releases the white smoke that indicates the election of a new pope. Previously, Steven P. Milliesprofessor of theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, told the CNN that Conclave He carefully describes the “meticulous construction of coalitions” in place during the actual process of the Pope’s election.

“A conclave is a political event in the best sense of the term: it is a weighted reflection, even Pia, on the future of a community,” he continued. “The” political campaign “does not preclude the involvement of the Holy Spirit (but does not even guarantee it, of course). If the spirit is heard it depends on the cardinals. But the spirit is present, and the count of the votes is a necessary part of the process ».

The presence of the Holy Spirit may not be guaranteed. But judging by the first opinions expressed on social media, on the imminent conclave (and on any character he will emerge once the smoke has been set out) will be focused on more eyes than ever.