Conclave

In the wake of Pope Francis's death on April 21, 2025, numerous sources have cited by this film for its accuracy in detailing the conclave process. When the pope is found deceased, he is asked three times if he is dead before the "sede vacante" is declared. The papal ring (called the Ring of the Fisherman) is removed and destroyed, to prevent it from being used to forge the pope's seal on documents. An official announcement that the throne of the Holy See (the Catholic church's governing body) is vacant is made, which begins a nine day period of mourning. The papal apartment is closed off with crimson ribbon and sealed with a wax papal stamp. The College of Cardinals are sequestered in apartments (Domus Sanctae Marthae, or Saint Martha's House) to eat and sleep between votes. Finally, the windows and doors to the Sistine Chapel, where the actual election takes place and ballots are cast, are darkened, shuttered, and locked to maintain the secrecy of the conclave. Newer security measures are shown as well, such as the Sistine Chapel being swept for electronic listening devices. ID cards are issued to all conclave servants after a reporter disguised as a servant was discovered during the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. All members of the College of Cardinals are required to surrender their mobile phones and other electronic devices, Vatican City's Wi-Fi network is temporarily shut down, and wireless signal jammers are activated within the Sistine Chapel itself.

It's established that there are 108 cardinals involved in the conclave. However, in the third round of voting there are a total of 110 votes and then in the fifth round of voting there are 113 total votes counted.

Featured in The Project: Episode dated 10 December 2024 (2024)