Conclave (2024)

The timing of this film couldn’t have been more fortuitous. Within months of its release, Pope Francis died, and the real conclave happened soon afterward. Since we don’t get to see what goes on behind closed doors, with good reason, Conclave gives a fictionalized insight into what goes on.

1: a private meeting or secret assembly

especially : a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a pope

Merriam-Webster Dictionary meaning of Conclave

As we saw in the movie version of “Angels and Demons” (2009), there is always a turning point that unites the Cardinals in their choice of the new pope.

Cardinal Benitez became their chosen one. And then the twist: he is a hermaphrodite, with both male genitalia and female internal organs. I didn’t see that revelation coming, but if we are to experience a “Return of the Christ” in the future, then this becomes very symbolic (albeit fictional). I wrote about this in the 14th chapter of my manuscript “The Star of Bethlehem”. Jesus, himself, may have been the same.

So, full marks for being willing to set the Roman Catholic Church on its head. If they only knew, eh?