Italian director and actor Sergio Castellitto analyzed the impact that the movie "Conclave" could have following the deterioration of Pope Francis's health. This feature film won the top award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards 2025) and also received recognition at the 2025 Golden Globes for best screenplay. With eight nominations, including best picture and best actor for Ralph Fiennes, "Conclave" is one of the most anticipated films at the Oscars.
In a context where Pope Francis's health has raised concerns after being hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia, Castellitto expressed: “This is a dramatic moment for us, for everyone in Italy it is very strong and I am praying (...) But I think it makes (the movie) interesting because we are talking about the conclave and they will probably soon have to actually hold the conclave.”
The plot of "Conclave" follows the cardinals of the Catholic Church as they are forced to choose a new Pope after the death of the previous one in a private meeting known as the conclave. Castellitto plays Tedesco, an ambitious Italian cardinal who has a chance to become the new leader of the Church.
Regarding his personal connection to the theme of the film, the director commented: “As I am Italian and live in Rome, I had a closer relationship with the Catholic Church than other actors, and I think you can imagine that this character could be portrayed boldly, and I did it very Italian style.”
Despite the tough competition at the Oscars, "Conclave" stands out in multiple categories such as best direction, editing, score, production design, and adapted screenplay. The cast, led by Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini, has also received recognition for their outstanding performances.
Currently, the film is in theaters in Mexico and is available on the Mubi platform. Due to its numerous nominations and the relevance of its themes, "Conclave" is shaping up to be one of the favorites at the upcoming Academy Awards.
