Conclave, an Oscar winner for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 97th Academy Awards, is a fictional portrayal of the papal election process, inspired by real events but with dramatized elements. A conclave is a secret gathering of Catholic cardinals to elect a new pope after the previous pope's death.
While the film captures the atmosphere of the election, it deviates from actual procedures, such as the portrayal of a "cardinal in pectore," which doesn't align with canon law. Due to filming restrictions, Conclave was shot in Italy, with locations like Palazzo Barberini and Cinecittà Studios, incorporating exterior shots of St. Peter’s Basilica. The film blends factual aspects with fictional storytelling for dramatic effect.
