Which Papal Candidate Is Which Guy From Conclave?

Among the films competing for Oscars last year, none seemed as uncannily pertinent as “Conclave.” As the awards ceremony approached, Edward Berger’s movie mirrored the complex machinations and backroom politics, making it a fitting allegory for the season itself. Remarkably, life has provided a more direct parallel: The demise of Pope Francis on April 21 signifies an actual conclave, much like in the film “Conclave.” (Coincidentally, the movie was momentarily inaccessible to stream following Francis’s death, but it can now be found on Amazon Prime Video.)

For those of us without religious beliefs, it’s only fitting to evaluate these events much like an acclaimed mature drama. The debates about which Oscar movie mirrors which character from “Conclave” have ceased. Now, we face a more challenging question: How do the real-life potential popes align with the characters we’ve grown attached to in “Conclave”? Most of these individuals are relatively unknown to the general public, and sadly, none of them are portrayed by seasoned actors bringing their A-game in a high-profile series. However, I’ve discovered some surprising parallels between the figures in the fictional conclave and those who will soon travel to Rome to elect the next pope.

Here’s an overview of the cardinals participating in a real-life conclave, compiled by someone who may not be Catholic but has delved deeply into multiple explanations about these cardinals, and has also watched the movie “Conclave” no less than four times.

Cardinal Lawrence: Pietro Parolin

As I delve into the fictional world of “Conclave,” it’s Cardinal Lawrence, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, who assumes the role of presiding over the proceedings. Yet, in reality, our 91-year-old dean, Giovanni Battista Re, is unable to participate due to his advanced age. Consequently, the responsibility falls upon the senior-most cardinal, Pietro Parolin – a seasoned bureaucrat who previously served as the Vatican’s secretary of state. Similar to Lawrence, Parolin was close to the late pope and is believed to hold similar views, but he’s perceived as more moderate and diplomatic. A striking contrast exists between Parolin and Fiennes’ Oscar-nominated cardinal, though: Unlike Lawrence who gained traction only after numerous ballots, Parolin starts the conclave as one of the top betting favorites.

Notable Recognition: Reinhard Marx, the archbishop of Munich, similar to Saint Lawrence, made an effort to relinquish his position – symbolically as a penance for the Church’s mismanagement of sexual abuse cases – yet Pope Francis declined his resignation.

Cardinal Tedesco: Péter Erdő

One aspect of the gathering that was expected to occur is the presence of a prominent conservative figure among the cardinals, who could potentially succeed Pope Francis in upholding progressive ideals. This individual is Cardinal Péter Erdő, the archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Hungary’s primate, known for his alignment with President Viktor Orbán’s anti-immigrant policies. In 2016, he compared churches offering refuge to migrants with human trafficking; however, it appears he may have softened his stance following discussions with the Pope. As reported by The New York Times, Cardinal Erdő has emphasized the importance of preserving Christianity’s essence, a sentiment reminiscent of Tedesco’s dialogue in an early draft of ‘Conclave’. Interestingly, it is suggested that he may be more amenable to negotiation with the Church’s liberals than his fictional counterpart. At this time, there is no information available regarding Cardinal Erdő’s preferred vape flavor.

Notable mentions include:

– Raymond Burke, a staunchly conservative American cleric who opposed Joe Biden receiving communion.
– Wim Eijk, a prominent critic of Pope Francis’s views on divorce.

Cardinal Benitez: Luis Antonio Tagle

Similar to Cardinal Benitez, who is portrayed as Filipino in Robert Harris’ novel, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle originates from the Global South, specifically the Philippines, and has devoted a significant portion of his career to serving on the ground. Notably, just like Benitez, Cardinal Tagle is known for his liberal views. He has advocated for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as those who are divorced or single mothers. The online platform Them even nicknamed him “the Gay Internet’s favorite papal candidate.” However, in line with Pope Francis, whom he is often compared to, Cardinal Tagle maintains traditional views on abortion. Unlike his fictional counterpart in the Conclave, there is a low probability of Cardinal Tagle ascending to the Chair of St. Peter as Francis’s rumored preferred successor; instead, he is also seen as one of the top contenders for the position.

Notable mentions include:

– Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who gained recognition while serving in a troubled region.
– Konrad Krajewski, a Polish individual known for his compassionate actions towards homeless populations such as squatters and transgender sex workers.
– Pablo Virgilio David, another Filipino cardinal, recognized for his efforts to bridge religious divides and his public criticisms of Israel’s conflict in Gaza.

Cardinal Bellini: Matteo Zuppi

As a movie buff, I’d put it this way: Matteo Zuppi, much like the charismatic character played by Stanley Tucci, is a progressive figure hailing from Italy. His name may remind you of a liquor brand, but don’t let that fool you. He’s well-known for his inclusive stance on gay rights and immigration, as well as his affection for cycling around the enchanting city of Bologna – an image that easily conjures up Tucci pedaling through picturesque Paris in ‘Julie & Julia’. Interestingly enough, Zuppi also served as a diplomat during Ukraine’s conflict, mirroring Tucci’s post-war experiences in Paris.

Distinguished Recognitions:

* José Tolentino de Mendonça, widely recognized as the most forward-thinking among the front-runners on LGBTQ+ matters and the position of women within the Church.
* Jean-Marc Aveline, archbishop of Marseille, known for his advocacy of migrants and harmony among different religions.
* Mario Grech, a previous moderate, who, under Pope Francis’s guidance, now backs same-sex civil unions and female deacons.

Cardinal Adeyemi: Peter Turkson

Several cardinals, aiming to emerge as the first African pope in over a thousand years, will enter the conclave with aspirations of leaving as the new leader. Among these contenders, Peter Turkson, from Ghana, stands out as a strong candidate due to his efforts in addressing poverty and resolving conflicts. In 2013, bookmakers placed him second in line to succeed Pope Benedict. Although he holds traditional views on social matters compared to some of the other candidates, Turkson is somewhat more liberal than Adeyemi was portrayed in “Conclave,” advocating against laws that would penalize homosexuality.

Notable Recognitions:

* Robert Sarah from Guinea, regarded as the most traditional among major African contenders and a significant ally of Pope Benedict.
* Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the archbishop of Kinchasa, who had a close relationship with Pope Francis but disagreed with him on the issue of blessing same-sex couples.

Cardinal Tremblay: Gérald Lacroix

In the movie, it’s not mentioned, but John Lithgow’s character Cardinal Tremblay isn’t American as some viewers might think; instead, he’s Canadian. Interestingly, the author Robert Harris chose to give him the same surname as a well-known Canadian actor. Coincidentally, in real life, we have another Canadian contender, just like Tremblay. Gerald Lacroix holds the position of Archbishop of Quebec, and much like Tremblay, he is also a respected administrator, albeit not necessarily a heavyweight. Unlike Tremblay, however, Lacroix was the target, rather than the initiator, of an accusation regarding misconduct. After thorough investigation, these allegations were ultimately dismissed.

Notable mentions: Marc Ouellett, a fellow Canadian who oversaw the Dicastery for Bishops, which can be likened to the Vatican’s Human Resources department, suggesting he is familiar with many of the internal workings and potential challenges; Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American camerlengo who holds a position similar to Tremblay’s during a Conclave. However, it appears that Farrell may have less political maneuvering compared to his counterpart.

2025-04-24 22:54