If you were a member of the College of Cardinals, and a new movie came out about the process whereby you and your fellow cardinals elect a new pope, wouldn’t you watch it? Yes, yes, you likely would. And so too has the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, who was elevated to the papacy on Thursday, the first American pope ever.
The new pope, formerly known as Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, has seen Conclave, the 2024 film about a fictional papal election. His brother John Prevost of New Lenox, Illinois, told NBC Chicago that his brother has indeed watched the film — and also shared that the pope plays Wordle, Words with Friends, and roots for the Chicago White Sox.
Read more: Hey Wordle Players, the New Pope Is One of Us
Prevost was elected on Thursday on the second day of the papal conclave, a heavily traditional event that’s at the heart of the Conclave movie
Even before Prevost was chosen, a report from Politico confirmed that some of the real-life cardinals had seen the film. The site reports that a cleric involved in the real papal conclave said of the cardinals, «Some have watched it in the cinema.»
And now we know the new pope was one of them.
The movie is fiction, but based on fact
Directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), Conclave centers on the election of a new pope after the reigning pope’s sudden death. Ralph Fiennes leads a powerhouse cast as a cardinal who finds himself at the center of a conspiracy during the papal election. John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and Stanley Tucci all deliver memorable performances.
Based on a book by Robert Harris (Enigma, The Ghost), Conclave draws from real-life Vatican tradition, but cranks up the drama for entertainment value. The secrecy, the symbolism, the power struggles — they’re all rooted in truth, but the film leans into betrayals, high-stakes revelations and a jaw-dropping twist.
In reality, the election of a pope is a solemn, procedural affair. In Conclave, it’s a powder keg of political intrigue and personal secrets — less about incense and prayer, more about shadows and suspense. It’s obviously not a documentary, but that’s what makes it gripping.
Here’s all the info on where to stream Conclave.
Where to watch Conclave
Streaming:
- Amazon Prime Video: You can now stream Conclave for free as long as you’re a Prime subscriber.
Rental and purchase:
- YouTube: Rent for $6 or buy for $20.
- Amazon Prime Video: Rent for $6 or buy for $20.
- Apple TV: Rent for $6 or buy for $20.
- Google Play Movies: Rent for $6 or buy for $20.
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Fandango at Home: Rent for $6 or buy for $20.
Concave is a highly acclaimed film, having been nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning one — for best adapted screenplay. Conclave currently holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.4/10 on IMDb.
You can also read the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, which has been out almost a decade, and is likely to be in your library or available in used and new bookstores near you. Harris was inspired to write the novel after watching the news coverage of the 2013 conclave, which elected the late Pope Francis.
Whether you’re interested in the intricacies of Vatican politics or just want to enjoy a gripping thriller, Conclave is a timely and engaging watch or read. And as a viewer, you’ll be in good company, right up there with Pope Leo XIV.
