[All] Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

Interpretation of the ending of the movie <Conclave> and a complete summary of the Pope election process! We analyze the message the movie conveys by comparing it to the actual Vatican Conclave procedures and voting requirements.

With the recent news of Pope Francis's death, the film Conclave, which deals with the election of the Pope, is once again in the spotlight. This film densely depicts the process of the Conclave (a meeting to elect a new Pope) held after the death of the Pope, and is a work that captures power, faith, and human conflict, and even won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

In this article, we will analyze the ending of the movie Conclave, summarize the process of electing a pope, and even summarize the differences between it and the actual Vatican Conclave.

※ This article contains spoilers! ※

The ending and key twist of the movie <Conclave> are discussed in detail.
If you haven't seen the movie yet, please read this after you've seen it.
A really important scene is spoiled.

1. What is a Conclave? Summary of the actual Pope election process

Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

'Conclave' is a Catholic term that means 'locked room' in Latin. When the pope dies or resigns, it is a secret meeting of cardinals (under 80 years old) from around the world who gather in the Vatican to elect a new pope.

The specific steps are as follows:

  • Eligibility : Cardinals under 80 years of age

  • Meeting Venue : Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

  • External blocking : All means of communication including mobile phones, internet, newspapers, and broadcasting are prohibited.

  • Voting method : Secret ballot conducted up to 4 times a day (2 times in the morning and 2 times in the afternoon)

  • Election requirements : A person must receive at least two-thirds of the total votes to be confirmed as Pope.
    eg if there are 120 valid voters, at least 80 votes are required

  • How results are disclosed
    No winner → Burning of ballot papers produces black smoke
    Winner comes out → Burns the ballot paper and white smoke appears

  • Official Declaration : New Pope Announced with “ Habemus Papam” (We Have a Pope)

The movie Conclave also depicts these procedures realistically, maximizing the tension.

2. Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave: A shocking and lingering twist

Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

The film Conclave centers around political intrigue and human struggles that unfold in a closed space to elect a new pope.


Initially, the progressive candidate Bellini , the black cardinal Adeyemi , and the conservative Tedesco emerged as strong candidates for the papacy, but each fell apart as their pasts and scandals were revealed.

Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

Eventually, an unlikely figure, Cardinal Benitez , is elected as the new pope, but the film's climax comes from his shocking identity.

Benitez was an 'intersex' person, biologically possessing both male and female characteristics.

This fact, which even Benitez himself was unaware of, directly conflicts with the Catholic tradition that “only men can become popes.”

Intersex refers to a person who is born with physical characteristics that do not clearly fall into the typical gender categories of male or female. For example, their genitals, chromosomes, and hormones may differ from those of a typical male or female.

In other words, intersex is a medical term that refers to a condition in which a person has both male and female characteristics, or an intermediate form , and it is one of the various spectrums of sexes that are born naturally.


However, Cardinal Lawrence does not reveal this secret to the outside world, and ends with the message that he 'accepts it as it is as God's creation.' Here, those who have not seen the interpretation of the conclave ending may misunderstand Cardinal Benitez as a transgender . Transgender and intersex are completely different! I expect that many people will have learned something new from this article.

Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

The interpretation of the ending of the Conclave can be seen in a word as a symbol that change begins with understanding and love, not violent overthrow.

3. What is the difference between the movie Conclave and the real Conclave?


The actual Vatican conclave may not feature the dramatic infighting and twists and turns of the movie, but its strict seclusion and secrecy are almost identical.

Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

The biggest difference is the question raised about the boundaries between sexual identity and power in the film .

This is an area that has not yet been officially discussed in the Vatican, but it is a topic that is likely to receive more attention in the future, given Pope Francis' frequent inclusive messages toward LGBTQ people during his lifetime.

4. Why we need to revisit the conclave now

After the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic world is welcoming a new era of leaders. At this point, the movie Conclave is being reread as a work that asks the question , “Can Catholicism change?” rather than a simple political thriller.

Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

The story that shows that electing a pope is not a simple vote but a choice of values ​​and direction, and that asks again about the boundaries of gender, power, and belief, is even more meaningful at this point in time.

Interpretation of the ending of the movie Conclave, a complete summary of the Pope election process, and comparison with the actual Vatican

<Conclave> is not just a simple anti-war movie. It contains essential messages about religion, humanity, change, love, and understanding. In the current reality where the process of electing a pope may start again, watching this movie again can be another way to understand the times, religion, and society.

So far, we have summarized the ending of the movie Conclave and the process of electing the Pope. Now that you know how the real Vatican and the movie Conclave are connected, you will enjoy the movie even more. I think it would be good for those who have already seen the movie to watch it again.

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    rokpks32
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      프란치스코 교황님 정말 좋으신 분이었는데... 이제 정말 콘클라베가 열릴 때가 왔네요
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      콘클라베 이미 개봉한 지 꽤 지나서 스크린 내려가기 전에 얼른 보러 가셔요!!!
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      지금이 딱 영화 콘클라베를 제대로 감상하기 최적의 시기인 것 같네요!
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    lpKoala75
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