Conclave Ending Explained - Unraveling The Papal Mystery

Lonnie Mann 29 Jun 2025

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind those closed doors when a new Pope is chosen? The movie 'Conclave' pulls back the curtain a little, offering a peek into that really old, very private gathering. It is a story that has had people talking, especially about how it all wraps up. People are curious, you know, about the big surprises and what everything means.

This film, actually, takes us right into the heart of a process that has kept folks guessing for hundreds of years. It’s about the Catholic cardinals getting together to pick a new leader, and it is almost like watching a high-stakes drama unfold in real time. The movie, based on a book by Robert Harris, really shows you the traditions and the hidden things that go on when such a big decision is being made. So, many viewers are left thinking about the last few moments of the film.

When the credits roll, a lot of questions pop up for many viewers, especially about some rather striking images and a huge reveal. Stars like Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini, who are in the film, have actually spoken about what those final scenes mean. They have shed some light on things like a turtle and some nuns who are laughing, which, you know, might seem a bit odd at first glance. It really helps to hear their thoughts on the Conclave ending explained.

The Conclave Movie - A Closer Look
What Happens at the Conclave Ending Explained?
The Big Reveal - Who Becomes Pope?
Is the Pope a Woman - Unpacking the Conclave Ending Explained?
Symbols and Meanings - What About the Turtle and Laughing Nuns?
How Does Cardinal Vincent Benitez Become the Pope - The Conclave Ending Explained?
The Film's Deeper Messages - Power, Secrecy, and Tradition
What Director Edward Berger Said About the Conclave Ending Explained

The Conclave Movie - A Closer Look

The film 'Conclave,' which came out in 2024, is a political thriller that really pulls you into a secret world. It was put together by Edward Berger, who directed it, and Peter Straughan, who wrote the script, taking inspiration from a book by Robert Harris from 2016. This movie, you know, brings together some well-known actors, including Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, among others. It puts Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes, right in the middle of picking a new Pope after the old one passes away. He finds himself in a very complicated situation, trying to lead one of the world's most private and old events. It is a bit like being in the center of a very delicate spider's web, trying to figure out what is what.

The very idea of a conclave is, basically, a private get-together or a hidden assembly. It is specifically a gathering of Roman Catholic cardinals who are kept away from everyone else until they pick a new Pope. This process, as a matter of fact, has sparked a lot of interest and wonder for many, many years. The movie lets us see inside this old, somewhat mysterious way of doing things. It shows the fancy ceremonies and the rich displays that are part of Roman Catholicism, while also giving us a close look at the people involved, even if it is just a bit of a glimpse into their personal struggles. It is, you know, a story about what happens when a group of powerful people are locked away to make a huge choice.

Edward Berger's take on 'Conclave,' which comes from Robert Harris's novel, really puts the spotlight on the formal rituals and the grand showings of the Catholic Church. But it also gives us a pretty close, if a little quick, look at the human side of things. The movie, essentially, tells the story of how a Pope is chosen after the previous one has died. It is a tale that explores the many sides of politics within the church, showing how complicated the whole process of picking a new leader can be. So, it is not just about the rules, but about the people trying to follow them, or maybe, you know, bend them a little.

What Happens at the Conclave Ending Explained?

The ending of 'Conclave' really gets people talking, and it has some big surprises that tie together the movie's main ideas about power, secrets, and the push and pull between old ways and new ideas. You see, in the end, it turns out that Cardinal Vincent Benitez, played by Carlos Diehz, is picked to be the new head of the church. This is pretty surprising, actually, because he only gets a few votes at the start of the election rounds. He is a rather mysterious archbishop, and his sudden rise to power is definitely something that makes you think. It is almost like he comes out of nowhere to take the top spot, which is a very unexpected turn of events.

When Cardinal Benitez wins the final vote, Cardinal Jacopo Baldassare Lomeli, who is Cardinal Lawrence in the film, uncovers something really big about him. It is revealed that Benitez was born intersex and was brought up by his family as a boy. This is a massive revelation, and it really shakes things up for everyone involved. The movie's stars, like Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini, have gone on to explain what this discovery about the new Pope's gender means for the story. They have talked about how this detail changes how you see everything that happened before. So, the Conclave ending explained really hinges on this one, big secret coming out.

The film's ending, you know, is one that people will probably remember for a long time. It is a huge moment of truth that brings a lot of the movie's hidden layers to the surface. Director Edward Berger has also shared his thoughts on this big reveal and what it means for the story he was trying to tell. It is not just about who wins, but about the true nature of the person who wins and what that might mean for the future. The twist, basically, makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about the characters and the church itself. It is a pretty powerful way to wrap things up, in a way, leaving a lot for the audience to chew on.

The Big Reveal - Who Becomes Pope?

So, the big question that hangs over the entire conclave is always, who will be chosen as the next Pope? In this particular story, the journey to finding the new leader is full of twists and turns, making it anything but straightforward. While some candidates might seem like obvious choices early on, the way the votes go can be very unpredictable. It is a process that really shows the political sides of things, with different groups trying to push their own person forward. You see, the person who eventually gets