Robert Harris: Why Conclave should have elected an older pope

Telegraph

30-05-2025

The author of Conclave has joked that he wishes cardinals had chosen an older pope to increase his chances of seeing another round of revived popularity in his book.
Robert Harris said Pope Francis's death had elevated him from a journalist into an unlikely papal commentator who was regularly called in to offer expert insight.
His novel Conclave, first published in 2016, also rode a wave of popularity on the back of its recent film adaptation.
The 68-year-old told the Hay Festival: 'From my point of view it would have been better if the Conclave had gone on for one or two more days and if they had elected an older pope because I feel as though I have written a Christmas number one which will keep coming back.
'We will have to wait until the next Conclave which may be after my time.'
He added: 'I feel like I have suddenly become a most unlikely expert on the papacy, not a role I really ever expected to play.
'But now we can all move on.'
The author praised Peter Straughan, whose screenwriting credits include Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, for a 'brilliant adaptation' released to critical acclaim in 2024.
'He kept a lot of the dialogue, characters and story, but he boiled it down and kept what was best – he did a terrific job,' Mr Harris said, adding that director Edward Berger was 'wonderful'.
Mr Harris said Robert De Niro and Javier Bardem had been pegged for the role of Cardinal Lawrence before Ralph Fiennes was chosen.
'That speech that he delivers – 'there will be no need for faith' – is just so brilliantly done,' the author said of Mr Fiennes, revealing that the actor and director had asked to change the character's nationality from Spanish to English.
'I looked across the table and I thought do I really want to lose Ralph Fiennes? No, make him English it won't make any difference. And of course it doesn't make any difference at all,' the author said.
Looking back at the revival of interest in his book, he said: 'I found myself peculiarly having written a sort of primer.
'So much so that the new pope watched the Conclave movie on the eve of the Conclave so that he knew what was coming.'
Pope Leo XIV watched the film to 'know how to behave', according to his brother.
John Prevost, 71, who lives in Chicago, told news reporters that he had asked his brother as a joke whether he had watched the film, and the future pope confirmed he had.
'His brother is one of those great brothers who clearly just blurts out anything,' Mr Harris said, adding: 'He could be a source of great amusement in the years to come.'