The provocative film Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, has ignited a fiery debate within the Vatican and among Catholic faithful. With a storyline brimming with secrets, intrigue, and uncomfortable questions, this political drama—based on Robert Harris’s novel—is being accused of challenging the foundations of Catholicism and casting the Vatican in a deeply unfavorable light.
Why Is Conclave Causing Such an Uproar?
At the heart of the controversy is the election of an intersex Pope, an unprecedented narrative twist in both cinema and Church history. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester has labeled the film as “anti-Catholic” and “woke,” criticizing its focus on themes he deems contrary to Church teachings.
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Additionally, outlets like Catholic Review and Missio Dei have condemned the film for distorting the conclave tradition and the Pope’s role, calling it “sensationalist” and “blasphemous.” Some have even urged the faithful to avoid watching it, warning that it poses a threat to Catholic beliefs.
What’s the Vatican’s Stance on Conclave?
The film dives headfirst into a depiction of a Vatican riddled with political tensions, where cardinals clash over conservative and progressive visions for the Church. This portrayal has been interpreted as a critique of ecclesiastical hierarchy, unsettling religious authorities.
Ralph Fiennes, who plays Thomas Lawrence, dean of the college of cardinals, defends the film, stating that the intention was not to demonize the cardinals but to humanize them. “Cardinals, priests – they’re human beings. They might have ambition”, Fiennes said to Morning Edition host A Martínez.
Can an Intersex Person Become Pope?
One of the film’s most provocative elements is the possibility of an intersex individual being elected Pope. According to canon law, any baptized male can become Pope, even if they are not a cardinal, as long as they commit to celibacy and are ordained as a priest.
However, intersexuality remains an unaddressed topic in Catholic doctrine. The Church adheres to a traditional understanding of gender, assigning roles and responsibilities based on biological sex. This creates a doctrinal gap when it comes to cases like that of an intersex person.
The storyline of Conclave poses a provocative question: How would the Church react if an intersex individual were chosen for its highest office? While they might technically meet the requirements, such a scenario would profoundly challenge the Vatican’s norms and traditions, forcing it to confront questions it has yet to address.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Alan Cruz in Cultura Colectiva.
