We’re diving into the election process portrayed in the new thriller “Conclave” (currently showing in theaters). Be aware of mild spoilers!

In recent years, I’ve traveled to Rome to report on one of the most intricate and secretive events in history: the election of a new pope.

This event, known as a conclave, inspired the 2016 book by Robert Harris that has now become a film. “Conclave” showcases a fictional gathering of cardinals draped in red, who have gathered in Rome to vote for the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, representing approximately 1.4 billion followers worldwide.

Many people recognize the climactic moment of a conclave, marked by the rise of white smoke from a chimney outside the Sistine Chapel, igniting cheers among the crowds, followed by the newly elected pope’s appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

However, considering that the Vatican isn’t exactly aligned with Hollywood, it raises questions about how the filmmakers captured the intricate details—from the ornate attire to the Latin voting traditions—depicted in the film featuring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow as rival cardinals, alongside Isabella Rossellini as a probing nun.

“We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were very accommodating and helpful,” stated “Conclave” screenwriter Peter Straughan. “Thus, it turned out to be a significant research endeavor. It’s a captivating, theatrical realm, so it’s crucial to get those details right. It’s a lavish spectacle.”

According to Straughan, Vatican representatives were accepting of the film’s bold narrative and its exploration of the political intricacies surrounding the conclave. “While we intended to critique the Church’s various issues, we aimed to approach it with respect for the core values of the Catholic faith,” he notes.

Straughan elaborates on the queries that arise while viewing “Conclave.”

Was ‘Conclave’ actually filmed at the Vatican?

No, none of it was filmed there. “You can never shoot at the Vatican,” Straughan explains. “We had to find other locations.”

Most of those locations were within Rome, which is filled with historic marble buildings that serve as stand-ins for the numerous chambers, staircases, and corridors featured in “Conclave.” (A notable exception being the unmistakable interiors of the Sistine Chapel, which were recreated on a soundstage, with Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling generated digitally.)

Do the 235 Roman Catholic cardinals really get isolated like jurors until they select a pope?

Yes, as depicted in “Conclave,” once a Vatican official addresses the cardinals and says the phrase “extra omnes” (meaning “everyone out”), the cardinals can only communicate with one another. “They aren’t allowed any external information or communication that could influence the election,” Straughan mentions.

However, some officials can function as messengers when necessary, even though the cardinals themselves remain confined until a candidate receives enough votes (two-thirds of the votes) and is chosen as pope. “While certain individuals can move about, I doubt they perform the investigative roles portrayed in our narrative,” Straughan elaborates.

Do cardinals stay on-site during a conclave?

The cardinals reside at Casa Santa Marta, a modest dormitory within the Vatican grounds. They are permitted to socialize in nearby buildings and courtyards and share meals in a cafeteria run by nuns.

“You see this unique combination of stunning historical beauty alongside a more modern conference atmosphere,” Straughan points out. “There’s a significant theatrical backdrop to this event, where formal gravitas meets a business-like organization.”

The Sistine Chapel serves as a backdrop for a group of men determining the representative of the world’s Catholics, creating an intriguing contrast with its somewhat understated backstage atmosphere. This duality sets the stage beautifully.

Is the papal conclave’s voting process as formal as depicted in ‘Conclave’?

During a papal conclave, cardinals gather to choose a new pope, often voting up to four times a day, especially in the initial days, to see which candidates are favored to win a majority. As illustrated in “Conclave,” the voting process is serious and steeped in tradition, rather than chaotic. “Each cardinal casts their vote by approaching the bowl where they place their written ballot and recite an oath (in Latin),” explains Straughan.

Individually, the cardinals insert their folded votes onto a round plate and deposit it into an oval urn while solemnly reciting an oath. As depicted in “Conclave,” these ballots are stitched together with needle and thread, subsequently burned with a chemical to signal the outcome: black smoke indicates a deadlock, while white smoke announces “habemus papam” − “we have a pope.”