Secrets of the Conclave

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2025

Documentary
Lifestyle

Summary

A behind-the-scenes look at the rituals in the Vatican as cardinals gathered to elect a new pope from among their number after the death of Pope Francis in April. Through extraordinary access to the Holy See, the documentary provides viewers with an insight into a tradition that has shaped the leadership of the Catholic Church for centuries, charting the journey from the mourning of Pope Francis to the white smoke announcing a decision has been reached, and the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

Review

David Butcher

As Cardinal Vincent Nichols sat with colleagues gathered in the Sistine Chapel, he thought to himself: “Someone in here has been chosen by God from birth to be the Pope, like he has the word ‘Pope’ written on his heart, and all we have to do is find him.”

It’s a vivid way of putting it, worthy of Robert Harris’s novel Conclave or its film adaptation — both of which loom large over this fine documentary about how a real conclave works. You don’t have to be religious to find the process fascinating and peculiar — a centuries-old ritual with all the creamy Catholic ceremonial of vestments, processions, marble halls, incense — and Latin, lots of Latin.

Cardinals recall how the process unfolded after Pope Francis died in April 2025. At a key moment, one of them describes offering Cardinal Prevost, the Pope-to-be, a sweet to calm his nerves. And there’s a great moment as an ecclesiastical tailor in his workshop sees the result of the vote on TV and cries in Italian: “I don’t believe it — he’s our client!”

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BBC iPlayer

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rolenameExecutive producerEliya ArmanExecutive producerSteven GreenDirectorElena MortellitiEditorJulie BucklandExecutive producerSimona ErcolaniExecutive producerRiccardo Chiattelli

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