When the pope dies, his ring (called the Fisherman’s Ring) is removed and destroyed
Narrative
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secret and ancient events, the election of a new pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. The actions of Cardinal Lawrence and the other cardinals during the film’s conclave are real and in keeping with Catholic faith and centuries of tradition. The Vatican officially declares the throne of the Holy See (the governing body of the Catholic Church) vacant. The papal apartment is closed with a crimson ribbon and sealed with the papal seal. The College of Cardinals is divided into apartments (Domus Sanctae Marthae, Saint Martha’s House) so they can eat and sleep between votes. Finally, the Sistine Chapel, where the actual election and voting take place, has its windows and doors blacked out, covered, and locked to maintain the secrecy of the conclave.
And therefore there is no need for faith
Ayendi is said to be the first African pope. The Roman Catholic Church has had three African popes: Victor I (189–199 CE), Miltiades (also known as Melchiades, 311–314 CE), and Gelasius I (492–496 CE). Lawrence: Our faith is a living being precisely because it walks in the grip of doubt. If there were only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery. Let us pray that God will give us a doubting pope. And may he give us a pope who sins and asks for forgiveness and who continues.
this was a SERIOUS refresher
Presented by 7PM Project: Episode of December 10, 2024 (2024). Allegri: Miserere Performed by Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, Massimo Palombella Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GMBH. Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd. I’m serious when I say that the first 2/3 of this film is probably one of the greatest dramas I’ve ever seen in a movie theater in my lifetime. The writing was so great that it was a perfectly orchestrated web of tension. In an era where it seems like every movie theater release is stacked with a $500 million budget, explosive action horror flicks, and a penchant for pulling in the audience…
It left me scratching my head
Just great dialogue, set design, DP work, and score to transport this film into a spellbinding, suspenseful bliss. And I’m talking about the first 2/3 of the film. I was prepared to give this film 9/10 stars. But I’m afraid the story got lost in the final stretch… such a perfectly woven web creates such a tense, mysterious slow burn; you NEED some sort of satisfying payoff at the end. The ending and the parts surrounding it left me completely unsatisfied.
it makes me think
But the kind of thinking where your face might be contorted in confusion as the credits roll. Not satisfaction. Overall, it’s a great, thought-provoking film and part of me wants to give it a higher score because it really was SUCH a strong film (most of the time). But the ending of the film means a lot.