After the pope dies, his ring (called the Ring of the Fisherman) is removed and destroyed
Plot
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.. Many of the actions Cardinal Lawrence and the rest of the cardinals take during the film’s conclave process are true and accurate to the Catholic faith and centuries of tradition. The Vatican makes an official announcement that the throne of the Holy See (the Catholic church’s governing body) is vacant. The papal apartment is closed off with a crimson ribbon and sealed with a wax papal stamp. The College of Cardinals are sequestered in apartments (the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Saint Martha’s House) to eat and sleep between votes. Finally, the windows and doors to the Sistine Chapel, where the actual election takes place and ballots are cast, are darkened, shuttered, and locked to maintain the secrecy of the conclave..
And therefore no need for faith
It is stated that Ayendi would be the first African Pope. The Roman Catholic Church has had three African Popes: Victor The First (189-199 CE), Miltiades (also known as Melchiades, 311-314 CE), and Gelasius The First (492-496 CE).. Lawrence: Our faith is a living thing precisely because it walks hand-in-hand with doubt. If there was only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery. Let us pray that God will grant us a Pope who doubts. And let him grant us a Pope who sins and asks for forgiveness and who carries on..
Featured in The 7PM Project: Episode dated 10 December 2024 (2024)
Allegri: MisererePerformed by Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, Massimo PalombellaCourtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GMBHUnder license from Universal Music Operations Ltd. The death of a pope and the subsequent election of a new one is an event that the Catholic world follows with great interest. As a period of mourning for the deceased pope is observed, the suspense builds and a worldwide audience learns the names and nationalities of the main contenders. This movie shows the protocols that follow the death of a pope and takes the viewer inside the walls of the Vatican as we see the various contenders. Ralph Fiennes is superb as Cardinal Lawrence, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, the church prelate who organizes and manages the conclave. Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini is the liberal favorite while Sergio Castellito is Cardinal Tedesco, the conservative alternative.
Other contenders rise and fall
There is tension and infighting that highlights the rivalry because the stakes are so high. The outside world never knows what form the discussions take or the possible conflicts because the process is highly secretive. This movie lends drama to what could happen during the course of the conclave. Some conclaves are over in a short period of time; others take longer to play out. In this movie, the voting reaches a stalemate followed by a surprise and then another. We see how the Vatican and the world are not at odds but are interwoven.
A fine movie and a great performance by Ralph Fiennes
As an observer of these conclaves, I was drawn to the character of Cardinal Lawrence and how he had to navigate the challenges and limitations of his role. The ending seems a pleasant surprise and is followed by another surprise that is just a step too far and detracts from an otherwise great drama.
