Must-Consider: 'Conclave'

With 1.4 billion believers, the political drama surrounding the highest position in one of the world's largest religious organizations... 'Conclave' might sound intimidating when described that way, but it is actually an accessible hit. In Japanese terms, it feels like a 'management is tough' genre where people at a long-established company suffer from stomach ulcers, and because each character is so distinct, it also has the high entertainment value of an election suspense. In the West, where it is said that movie theaters were often filled with laughter, it has even been compared to 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Mean Girls.' However, looking back, it is a mysterious film that gives the sensation of being manipulated by the invisible hand of God.

[Spoilers below]

The Chessboard of the Dead

The mystery of 'Conclave' as a detective story lies in the fact that the crucial mystery is never revealed. In other words, how much of this was the former Pope's plan? It is said that the former Pope, who clashed with Tedesco while alive, was a well-informed strategist who could read eight moves ahead in chess. Therefore, it would not be strange if he had laid out strategies to crush potential successors. The following easily come to mind:

• Not letting Lawrence quit and entrusting him with the management of the future papal election

• Secretly nominating Benitez, who is a candidate capable of opposing Tedesco but harbors a major secret

• Entrusting Sister Agnes, his confidante, with supporting the aftermath after his death

• Having Tremblay invite the sister who would become the material to crush Adeyemi

• Preparing a corruption report that could crush Tremblay

• Dying suddenly after a meeting with Tremblay, or was he murdered?

I don't know how much the former Pope had thought through, but the story unfolds based on the seeds he sowed. Bellini, the liberal opportunist who should have been a leading candidate, withers away due to a lack of core and push. There are only three motivated candidates: the corruption-ridden moderate conservative Tremblay, and the exclusionary Adeyemi and Tedesco. Here, the protagonist Lawrence, tasked by the former Pope to be the administrator, changes the situation. Obsessed with discipline, he traces the former Pope's tracks and, with the cooperation of Sister Agnes, expels the violators.

Doubting Thomas

At the very least, the former Pope must have known that Lawrence would become a suspicious administrator. This troubled protagonist lacks confidence in his spirituality as a clergyman, but is very serious about the rules. As Bellini points out, he is too strict, dealing with even the violations of the 'lesser evil candidates,' which ultimately favors the worst hostile candidate. Tedesco, who does not hide his exclusionary views, is not necessarily popular, but because he has solidified a certain level of support and has not violated any rules, his chances of winning increase the longer he remains in the race.

As shown in the election opening speech, which was unusually inspired for Lawrence, the theme of 'Conclave' is 'faith of doubt.' That speech itself is an homage to the liberal Pope Francis, whom the non-Catholic original author Robert Harris admired. What is noteworthy in director Edward Berger's version is that the name has been changed in accordance with the protagonist's change in nationality. The film version's original name, 'Thomas,' is likely a metaphor for 'Doubting Thomas' who appears in the New Testament. To summarize briefly, when rumors spread that Jesus Christ, who should have died on the cross, had resurrected three days later, one of the disciples, Thomas, was skeptical. 'Unless I see him and put my finger into the (pierced) wounds, I will not believe.' Then Jesus appeared, ordered him to put his finger into the wounds, made Thomas realize the truth, and preached his teachings.'Do not be a disbeliever, but a believer.' 'Because you have seen me, you have believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'
Thomas Lawrence is a man who 'cannot believe unless he sees,' eroded by rumors. As a result, he drives himself into becoming a papal candidate.

Divine Intervention

In the end, Lawrence is swallowed by the situation and his own ambition and begins to aim for the new papacy. Then, an explosion suddenly occurs, and the election is interrupted. It is as if God, angry at the church's chess game, has swept the pieces away.
In the claustrophobic 'Conclave,' this is a rare scene that makes one feel the presence of God. Consequently, God stops Lawrence, who succumbed to greed, from becoming Pope, causes Tedesco to self-destruct by exposing his evil nature, and makes Benitez speak out. It was proven that Benitez, who suddenly refuted the sinner who called humans beasts and who had stopped desiring the papacy from the bottom of his heart, was the vessel for the Pope.
Realistically speaking, Lawrence would likely still be the leading candidate at this point. Benitez is too much of an unknown, so if a scandal were to be discovered, the position of his supporters could be jeopardized. However, the cardinals who had been immersed in church politics might have felt the hand of God at this moment. In the final vote, where light and wind shone through the blast site, votes were cast for Benitez as if guided, and the new Pope was decided.
As is customary, the scandal is soon discovered. Benitez was intersex and raised as a male. This may be the biggest secret in the film. Historically, the Catholic Church has apparently been considerate and accepting of intersex people, but it seems they are not granted the qualifications for ordination (clergy), which is reserved only for men. In other words, Benitez carries the risk that his qualifications as a priest might be invalidated, and those involved who permitted his papal inauguration while knowing the secret might not get off unscathed. Faced with an ultimate choice, Lawrence, like the former Pope, conceals the secret. 'Doubting Thomas,' who gained a connection with God through the conclave, accepted the uncertainty that did not fit the rules and became a 'believer' in the intuition that Benitez was the right one.

Mystical Mystery

At the end of the film, the former Pope's favorite turtle reappears. It is a creature that is slow-moving, a symbol of change and growth, and like Lawrence, cannot leave the Vatican even if it wants to escape. Lawrence, respecting the former Pope's wishes, moves the turtle to a comfortable waterside. Even if he cannot rush out into the outside world, he can at least make modest efforts for good change. Released from the political struggles of older men, the film ends by showing the sisters who will carry the future, bathed in light.

　Well, in the end, how much of it was the former Pope's intention? Did he want Benitez to take office? One can speculate from the structure of the original novel, but... in a story that wraps up with a grand development that can only be called a 'divine move,' should one really engage in thorough 'consideration'?
　'If there is no uncertainty, doubt disappears, and the mystery vanishes. Therefore, faith would also become useless.'. In 'Conclave,' which respects Pope Francis's philosophy of faith, doubt is considered a good thing. The one who does not have it is Tedesco, an extreme radical who has stopped thinking. On the other hand, it might also be wrong to get too caught up in the pursuit of 'truth' driven by doubt, like Lawrence, who was swallowed by gossip and committed administrative violations. In the Catechism, rash judgment of others and slander without just cause are sins.
　What we learn from Lawrence's 'growth' in accepting uncertain intuition is that while doubt is precious, it is better not to try to be certain about everything. What is important is room for doubt. Just as the original meaning of 'mystery' is 'God's hidden secret,' mysteries should remain mysteries.