Ralph Fiennes reacts to Pope Leo XIV watching Conclave after learning that the newly crowned pontiff viewed the film right before participating in the secretive 2024 papal election, which was held at the Vatican. The actor was taken aback by the idea of his portrayal becoming an unlikely source of insight for the most influential figure in the Catholic Church.
Fiennes Expresses Curiosity over Pope’s Response
Ralph Fiennes admitted he was never prepared for his political thriller, set within the walls of the Vatican, to become part of a real papal narrative. With the news that Pope Leo XIV watched Conclave ahead of his historic election, Fiennes openly questioned what the Holy Father truly thought about the depiction of church power dynamics and rituals.
“Did he enjoy it? Did he just shrug his shoulders and say halfway through, ‘This is rubbish?’ Or did he get something from it? I’d like to know what he thought,”
—Ralph Fiennes, Actor
While promoting his latest project, Fiennes considered the unusual scenario of having his performance evaluated by Pope Leo XIV himself, and wondered whether the Catholic hierarchy saw any merit in the movie’s depiction of conclave proceedings.
Actor Reflects on Accuracy and Reception Among Church Figures
As questions swirled about the film’s representation of church traditions, Fiennes confessed his doubts regarding how authentic the Vatican’s clergy, including the new Pope and the cardinals, found the on-screen portrayal.
“I’m sure there are many people in the church and many cardinals who’ve looked at it and thought it was nothing like reality,”
—Ralph Fiennes, Actor
“But I think we did get the rituals right. I’m sure the power politics was amped up for entertainment purposes. But I hope that he saw something of value in it. I just don’t know.”
—Ralph Fiennes, Actor
How the Papal Screening Was Revealed
The information came to light when John Prevost, brother to Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago), shared during an interview with NBC News that Conclave was viewed by the soon-to-be pope just before he joined the conclave in May.
“He had just finished watching the movie Conclave, so he knew how to behave,”
—John Prevost, Brother of Pope Leo XIV
The film itself tells the story of a cardinal who navigates hidden agendas and secrets during the election of a new leader for the Church.
The Unintended Impact of Art on Reality
Ralph Fiennes’s shock at the Conclave screening by Pope Leo XIV underlines the unpredictable relationship between cinema and real-world power structures. For Fiennes and many observing the Catholic Church, this event has spurred curiosity over how works of fiction can intersect with historical moments, especially ones as significant as a papal election. The influence of the film, both on the Pope and on perceptions within the church, remains a subject of speculation as the new pontiff begins his tenure.
