Cardinals Study Conclave Ahead of Key Vatican Event

Edward Berger\\\'s gripping Vatican thriller Conclave captivated audiences last year by revealing the secretive process of papal elections - a ritual few outsiders ever witness. With global Cardinals now preparing for an actual conclave following Pope Francis\\\' death, life appears to be imitating art as several participating clerics reportedly turned to the film for procedural guidance.

Hollywood Meets Holy See

The film, starring Ralph Fiennes as the Cardinal Dean presiding over a fictional conclave, has earned praise from Vatican insiders for its authentic portrayal of the sacred process. A papal cleric involved in real-world preparations told Politico that Bergers depiction was being viewed as "surprisingly accurate" by some Cardinals, with several having watched the movie theatrically.

Pope Francis passed away in late April, triggering the complex succession protocol depicted in the film. The upcoming gathering will see 133 Cardinals from across the globe convene in the Sistine Chapel to elect Catholicism\\\'s next leader.

Remarkably, most Cardinals arriving in Rome on May 7 were appointed by Pope Francis himself, meaning they\\\'ve never participated in a conclave before. For these inexperienced electors - particularly those from remote dioceses - the film has become an unlikely primer on the secretive centuries-old tradition.

The convergence of cinema and sacred ritual highlights how modern media can unexpectedly illuminate ancient traditions. As real Cardinals prepare for their historic vote, Bergers fictional depiction continues influencing reality in ways no one anticipated.