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Sky News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Conclave writer says debate over women priests will be 'big issue' for new pope
The writer of Conclave has said he believes the role of women in the Catholic Church will be a "big issue" for the next pope. Robert Harris, whose papal novel became a hit film, said the approach of Francis 's successor would be crucial and was a "profoundly political moment for the world". Speaking on The News Hour with Mark Austin, he said he had been struck by how the gospels' teachings, such as the "necessity to get rid of all worldly wealth", appeared at odds with the grandeur associated with the papacy. "When I compared that to the reality of the Vatican, it's hard not to be struck by the contrast," he said. "And in particular, in the 21st century, can it really be the case that Christ did not intend half the world's population to play a full role in spreading his word?" "I don't see how this cannot be the issue facing the church over the next few years," Harris added. "The Jewish faith has female rabbis, the Anglicans have female bishops; can it really be the case that Roman Catholics cannot allow the ordination of women? "Maybe they won't - but I cannot help but believe it will be a big issue," said Harris. Catholicism does not allow women to become priests - a principle confirmed by Pope John Paul II in 1994 when he said the church had "no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women". 1:27 Harris said he had deliberately included the pivotal character of Sister Agnes in his story to "give some voice to these women" - who otherwise are shown looking after the cardinals during conclave. The secretive process to elect a new pope begins for real in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday when 133 cardinals begin the first round of voting amid tight security. All eyes will be on the lookout for the white smoke that signals they have reached a decision. The author, a former political journalist, told Sky News his research for the book included speaking to a cardinal who had taken part in the conclave. He said the protocols portrayed by the likes of Ralph Fiennes in the movie were all true to life and set out by the Vatican. However, he added: "I'm dramatising something, trying to make it entertaining, so I doubt whether the conclave will be so full of skulduggery as the novel and film." 0:50 Harris said the election of the new pope - which requires a two-thirds majority - made it a political as well as spiritual exercise for the cardinals. He agreed the battle is likely to be between traditionalist cardinals and those who want to continue Francis's more informal, progressive approach. Harris said the first South American pope "put a lot of noses out of joint in the grander bureaucracy of the church". "Francis really laid down a marker to the old guard," he told Sky News. "He didn't move into the papal apartments, he refused the elaborate papal cars - he wanted a little ordinary car to go around in; he used to dine in the cafeteria at nights with the nuns who run the Casa Santa Marta." If Francis's successor reverts to convention and moves back into the Apostolic Palace, Harris said it would be an "indication of the direction the new pope will take the church". Among the favourites to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is Luis Tagle, a cardinal who could become the first Asian pope, and who has been likened to Pope Francis. Two Italians are also strong contenders: Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, and the so-called "deputy pope" Pietro Parolin. Harris said whatever approach the new pontiff takes - whether a liberal interpretation or more conservative - would have a real impact on some of today's most contentious issues, such as assisted dying for example. "These crucial political decisions are greatly affected by the Roman Catholic Church," said Harris. "The church is an immensely wealthy, powerful institution that reaches into all areas of society, whether you're Catholic or not. So this is a profoundly political moment for the world."
Economic Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
How to watch the Ralph Fiennes-starrer 'Conclave' for free as the Vatican prepares for a new Pope
Agencies How to watch 'Conclave' for free as the Vatican prepares for a new Pope When Pope Francis passed away on 21 April, aged 88, from double pneumonia and a stroke, it marked the end of an era for the Catholic Church—and the beginning of a new one. For the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, it is a time of mourning. But also of reckoning. What comes next is steeped in tradition and ritual: the papal conclave. In the coming two to three weeks, 120-odd cardinals under the age of 80 will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next spiritual leader of the world's largest Christian denomination. They will vote in secret, multiple times a day, until a two-thirds majority is reached. 'This is such a personal film for me, so to hear how it has connected with and entertained so many movie lovers around the world makes me very happy,' said director Edward Berger in February 2025, following Conclave's Oscars success, per success now feels eerily all of this sounds like a thriller, you're not far off. Conclave, the 2024 hit film now set to stream on Prime Video, offers a fictionalised but deeply resonant take on the process. Inspired by Robert Harris's 2016 novel and real events—including the leaked diary from the 2005 conclave—it follows Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes) as he navigates the treacherous waters of Vatican politics following the death of a pope. Fiennes' performance anchors the story with quiet tension. As dean of the College of Cardinals, he must organise the conclave while confronting secrets and scandals buried deep within the Church hierarchy.'I think the film asks the question: Who is the person that is best? Who is the right person to take this extraordinary position of spiritual leadership?' Fiennes told in October 2024. 'And what we want them to be spiritually, to have a great spiritual foundation as a person.'Isabella Rossellini, who plays Sister Agnes, was also Oscar-nominated for her role—the first such nod of her career. Her portrayal draws from personal experience.'I went to school with the nuns. I grew up in Rome, so the Vatican and the debate of the Vatican are very present,' she said. 'But I also knew that my nuns... are not submissive at all. So I felt very confident in playing Sister Agnes with a lot of dignity and strength, because I'd seen it in my life.'The film's dramatic core lies not in action but in deliberation. Set behind closed doors, Conclave unveils a power struggle that's less divine revelation and more political chess match. Each cardinal comes bearing ideology, ambition, or both. With each ballot cast, the secrets Cavanaugh, professor of Catholic Studies at DePaul University, put it plainly: 'The cardinals will lock themselves into the Sistine Chapel and discuss and vote on the next pope... A papal candidate needs two-thirds of the vote of the voting cardinals to be elected.'And only cardinals under the age of 80 may the real conclave will be devoid of cameras, audiences can now get a stylised preview through Conclave, which raked in over $100 million at the global box office and won Best Adapted Screenplay at the first debuted on Peacock but has since moved platforms due to Universal's deal with Amazon. It will begin streaming on Prime Video from midnight (ET) on 22 with an Amazon Prime subscription can watch at no extra cost. Others can sign up for a free 30-day trial to stream the film. Alternatively, it's available to rent for $5.99 or purchase on services like YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At film left Peacock earlier this month in preparation for its Prime Video release, in line with an 18-month split streaming arrangement between Universal and Amazon, as reported by Conclave offers, especially now, is more than entertainment. It's a meditation on power, belief, and the kind of spiritual leader the world needs at this juncture. In a Church divided between traditionalists and reformists, the question looms: will the cardinals choose continuity, or change?As Pope Francis is laid to rest and black smoke rises over St. Peter's, audiences might find themselves thinking less about who will be pope—and more about who should then, Conclave offers a window into the storm before the white smoke.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to watch the Ralph Fiennes-starrer 'Conclave' for free as the Vatican prepares for a new Pope
When Pope Francis passed away on 21 April, aged 88, from double pneumonia and a stroke, it marked the end of an era for the Catholic Church—and the beginning of a new one. For the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, it is a time of mourning. But also of reckoning. What comes next is steeped in tradition and ritual: the papal conclave . In the coming two to three weeks, 120-odd cardinals under the age of 80 will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next spiritual leader of the world's largest Christian denomination. They will vote in secret, multiple times a day, until a two-thirds majority is reached. 'This is such a personal film for me, so to hear how it has connected with and entertained so many movie lovers around the world makes me very happy,' said director Edward Berger in February 2025, following Conclave's Oscars success, per Variety. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors in the Philippines Can Enjoy Affordable Private Health Insurance! (See List) Health Insurance | Search Ads Search Now Undo That success now feels eerily prophetic. A fiction that feels real If all of this sounds like a thriller, you're not far off. Conclave, the 2024 hit film now set to stream on Prime Video, offers a fictionalised but deeply resonant take on the process. Inspired by Robert Harris's 2016 novel and real events—including the leaked diary from the 2005 conclave—it follows Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes) as he navigates the treacherous waters of Vatican politics following the death of a pope. Live Events Fiennes' performance anchors the story with quiet tension. As dean of the College of Cardinals, he must organise the conclave while confronting secrets and scandals buried deep within the Church hierarchy. 'I think the film asks the question: Who is the person that is best? Who is the right person to take this extraordinary position of spiritual leadership?' Fiennes told in October 2024. 'And what we want them to be spiritually, to have a great spiritual foundation as a person.' Isabella Rossellini, who plays Sister Agnes, was also Oscar-nominated for her role—the first such nod of her career. Her portrayal draws from personal experience. 'I went to school with the nuns. I grew up in Rome, so the Vatican and the debate of the Vatican are very present,' she said. 'But I also knew that my nuns... are not submissive at all. So I felt very confident in playing Sister Agnes with a lot of dignity and strength, because I'd seen it in my life.' Secrets, saints, and schemers The film's dramatic core lies not in action but in deliberation. Set behind closed doors, Conclave unveils a power struggle that's less divine revelation and more political chess match. Each cardinal comes bearing ideology, ambition, or both. With each ballot cast, the secrets deepen. Bill Cavanaugh, professor of Catholic Studies at DePaul University, put it plainly: 'The cardinals will lock themselves into the Sistine Chapel and discuss and vote on the next pope... A papal candidate needs two-thirds of the vote of the voting cardinals to be elected.' And only cardinals under the age of 80 may vote. While the real conclave will be devoid of cameras, audiences can now get a stylised preview through Conclave, which raked in over $100 million at the global box office and won Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars. How to watch 'Conclave' in the wake of Pope Francis' death Conclave first debuted on Peacock but has since moved platforms due to Universal's deal with Amazon. It will begin streaming on Prime Video from midnight (ET) on 22 April. Those with an Amazon Prime subscription can watch at no extra cost. Others can sign up for a free 30-day trial to stream the film. Alternatively, it's available to rent for $5.99 or purchase on services like YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home. The film left Peacock earlier this month in preparation for its Prime Video release, in line with an 18-month split streaming arrangement between Universal and Amazon, as reported by Deadline. Fiction meets faith—At a turning point What Conclave offers, especially now, is more than entertainment. It's a meditation on power, belief, and the kind of spiritual leader the world needs at this juncture. In a Church divided between traditionalists and reformists, the question looms: will the cardinals choose continuity, or change? As Pope Francis is laid to rest and black smoke rises over St. Peter's, audiences might find themselves thinking less about who will be pope—and more about who should be. Until then, Conclave offers a window into the storm before the white smoke.
