As the world reflects on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away early Monday morning at the age of 88, attention is turning toward the Vatican’s upcoming conclave — the secretive and centuries-old process by which the next pope is elected. While traditionally a closely guarded event, public interest in this sacred rite has surged, thanks in part to the 2024 Oscar-winning film Conclave, directed by Edward Berger.
The film, a gripping political thriller rather than a documentary, offers a fictionalized yet compelling depiction of the papal selection process. Based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel of the same name, Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes as a senior cardinal tasked with overseeing the election of a new pope following the death of his predecessor. As the story unfolds, the cardinal uncovers a series of secrets left behind by the deceased pontiff—revelations that could alter the outcome of the election.
In addition to Fiennes, the film features a powerhouse cast including Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow, who portray fellow cardinals with ambitions of their own and buried truths they’d rather keep hidden. The film’s timely release and suspenseful narrative have sparked renewed curiosity in the Vatican’s inner workings, particularly as the Catholic Church prepares for a real-life conclave.
Currently, Conclave is not available on any major subscription streaming platform due to licensing transitions. It was previously offered on Peacock, but a content agreement between Universal and Amazon Prime Video has resulted in the film migrating to Prime Video. As of now, viewers can rent Conclave on Amazon for $5.99 or purchase it for $19.99. Alternatively, Prime members can access the film at no additional cost beginning at 3 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
Other digital platforms where Conclave can be rented or purchased include Apple TV and Fandango at Home, though pricing may vary slightly depending on the service.
The real-life conclave will not begin immediately; per Vatican protocol, the process must start within 15 to 20 days of a pope’s death. That delay ensures that the Church’s 138 eligible cardinals have adequate time to travel to Rome to participate. In the meantime, for those seeking a cinematic lens into what will soon unfold behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, Conclave offers a dramatized—but thought-provoking—glimpse.
As audiences around the world pay tribute to Pope Francis, the film’s renewed relevance underscores the intersection of faith, secrecy, and power—and the growing public interest in what comes next for the Catholic Church.