The start ofConclavehas one flaw with the secret cardinal explained by David Gibson, Director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University. The story ofConclavefollows Cardinal Lawrence, who is tasked with organizing a conclave of cardinals to choose a new pope. As all the cardinals are about to be sequestered, Cardinal Benitez arrives and reveals that the previous pope secretly named him a cardinal. Thecast ofConclaveincludes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, and Carlos Diehz.
In an interview withGQ, Gibson explains that real-life popes actually can secretly name someone a cardinal, especially if they believe the person would face persecution if their status was known. Therefore, the movieConclavegets this aspect correct. However,Gibson notes that if the pope dies, then that cardinal would technically not be one anymore and wouldn’t be able to enter the conclave, even with a permission slip. Read Gibson’s full quote below:
There is a real custom by which a pope can name a cardinal “in pectore,” which is Latin for “in his heart” or “in his breast.” The name is known only to the pope usually, because the bishop would face persecution if his status were known. This is never explained in the film for reasons of time, I’m sure. One technical problem is that as soon as a pope dies, if he has not revealed this name, that secret cardinal would not be a cardinal and would not be able to enter a conclave even with a permission slip, as Cardinal Benitez does.
What Gibson’s Comments About Secret Cardinals Mean For Conclave’s Story
Cardinal Benitez Is Named The New Pope At The End Of Conclave
InConclave, Cardinal Benitez shows up with a permission slip from the previous pope, which prompts Cardinal Lawrence to let him join the conclave. According to Gibson,Cardinal Benitez shouldn’t have been able to take part in the conclave since he no longer would have been considered a cardinal after the death of the previous pope. Cardinal Benitez not being part of the conclave would drastically impactConclave’sending, since he eventually ends up being voted to be the next pope.
Benitez being the first intersex pope, even though it is unknown to everyone except for Cardinal Lawrence, represents a major step forward for the Catholic Church at the end ofConclave.
Cardinal Benitez is also central to the major twist at the end ofConclave. The reveal thatCardinal Benitez is intersex inConclavewas shocking. The previous pope knew about Cardinal Benitez’s secret and arranged for him to get a hysterectomy. However,Cardinal Benitez ultimately decided not to proceed with the procedure because he wanted to remain the way God created him. Benitez being the first intersex pope, even though it is unknown to everyone except for Cardinal Lawrence, represents a major step forward for the Catholic Church at the end ofConclave.
Our Take On Gibson’s Comments About The Secret Cardinal In Conclave
Cardinal Benitez Is A Very Important Character In Conclave
Cardinal Benitez was one of the most interesting characters inConclave, so it is disappointing to learn that he technically shouldn’t have been part of the process of electing a new pope. However,it would have been extremely difficult forConclaveto be completely accurate to the real-life process. Therefore, overlooking this one flaw that Gibson pointed out is forgivable, especially since the character of Cardinal Benitez added a lot to the story ofConclave.
Conclave
Cast
Cardinal Lawrence leads the secretive papal election at the Vatican, where he uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that could destabilize the Church’s foundation as leaders gather from around the world.
