Conclave Author Robert Harris on the Origin of His Best-Selling Vatican Thriller and Its Stunning Twist

As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for historical and political intrigue, I find “Conclave” to be a riveting exploration of power, morality, and the human condition. Robert Harris masterfully weaves a tale that delves deep into the heart of an institution, the Catholic Church, and the complexities that come with holding positions of immense authority. The film’s adaptation from Harris’ novel is faithful, making for a gripping religious drama that transcends its genre.

“We are mortal men; we serve an ideal. We cannot always be ideal.”

In Robert Harris’ 2016 novel Conclave, the core theme revolves around the exploration of the struggle between the corrupting influence of power and the ability to uphold moral principles. This blockbuster papal thriller, now a movie sensation, follows the political battle for the soul of the contemporary Catholic Church as the election of a new pope unfolds. For Harris, the corruption that inevitably seeps into the lives of those who wield significant power, such as the Catholic cardinals, is one of the enduring themes throughout human history.

In an interview with TIME, he acknowledges that wielding temporal or spiritual power often leads to the unavoidable formation of factions, intrigue, and choosing the lesser of two evils – all part of managing a large organization and maintaining agreement among many people, not just hundreds but thousands. As a writer, he expresses admiration for politicians and cardinals alike because they are tackling almost unsolvable issues. Yet, someone must take on this role. Someone must manage society, and in his writing, he aims to do so with understanding and compassion.

The film titled “Conclave” is helmed by director Edward Berger, renowned for his 2022 German adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which won four Oscars. In this movie, Ralph Fiennes delivers an outstanding portrayal of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. As the head of the College of Cardinals, Lawrence is responsible for assembling and managing the clandestine ceremony to select a new pope following the demise of the previous Pope (a reformist figure who seems to have followed a path similar to real-life Pope Francis). However, Lawrence is unaware that he will be confronted with a chain of revelations capable of rocking the Church’s foundations – all while grappling with his own internal struggles of faith.

“The ultimate political story”

As the conclave approaches, a time when cardinals are isolated within the Sistine Chapel and the living quarters of the Domus Sanctae Marthae to minimize outside interference, several strong contenders emerge for the papacy. Among them are Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci), the Vatican’s progressive Secretary of State; Goffredo Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), a conservative Patriarch from Venice; Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow), a centrist cardinal from Canada; and Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), who could make history as the first Black pope. To complicate matters further, Cardinal Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz) unexpectedly appears at the eleventh hour, asserting that the late pope appointed him Archbishop of Kabul secretly before his death.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it like this: “This election is the ultimate political saga, the climax of all power struggles.” Harris explains how the divisions and shifting loyalties unfold amidst the process, where the cardinals must cast their votes in secret – first on day one and then four times daily thereafter. The voting continues until a candidate manages to secure a two-thirds majority.

The movie deviates only slightly in terms of certain character details – Lawrence is British instead of Italian as portrayed in the book – but overall, it closely follows Harris’ novel. This adaptation creates a gripping, rollercoaster-like religious drama that, though primarily fictional, reportedly draws from historical events according to Harris.

In simpler terms, “Apparently, there’s a claimed diary by a cardinal involved in the conclave that elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict. This diary reportedly describes the voting process and an attempt to prevent Ratzinger. It’s also mentioned that there was a prominent liberal cardinal from Milan who was anticipated to become pope for years. However, he came third after the initial vote, a character portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the movie, symbolizing the long-waiting man who finally misses his chance.

However, the twist in which both the book and movie culminates, is all Harris.

“Dare I do this?”

Following a series of scandals that impacted the candidates’ chances, Cardinal Benitez delivers an impassioned speech promoting unity and progress, which unexpectedly garners him the necessary backing to secure victory in the election. However, as the cardinals are about to declare Benitez as the new pope, Lawrence receives information revealing that Benitez was born intersex. In a private conversation, Benitez explains he was brought up as a boy by his parents and had little knowledge of his physical differences throughout most of his adult life. Previously, the former pope was aware of this truth but still advanced Benitez within the Church. Upon learning this, Lawrence allows the coronation to proceed without any disruption.

Sampling his unique perspective, Harris clarifies that he neither hails from a Catholic background nor possesses expertise in the Church. His exploration initiated by delving into the gospels, which he found remarkably transformative. The stark contrast between these revolutionary teachings and the grandiose structure of ritual, opulence, power, and wealth within the Church is palpable, Harris points out, as he shares the genesis of his groundbreaking concept. Additionally, he poses a question regarding the feasibility of preserving anything in a state that’s nearly 2000 years old, given how both the world and humanity have undergone significant evolution over time.

In the end, Harris felt it was only fitting for Lawrence to uncover Benitez’s truth and opt against taking action. This conclusion seemed to be drawing him in, he says. He questioned himself, “Should I go through with this?” But then he thought, “Why not? Anything else would be too ordinary. I wanted to create a story that was intense, one with the grandeur of such an election.

As the movie adaption hits theaters at a time when anti-LGBTQI sentiments and incidents are escalating, Harris’ twist in the story seems significantly impactful compared to when the book was initially published eight years ago. He shares, “This is the first time I’ve felt like a hero to my four children.” The book’s relevance has grown in 2024 as opposed to 2016 because societal progression has been rapid, and this topic is more pressing now than it was before. It feels less surprising because it is clearly part of the ongoing [discourse].

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2024-10-25 19:06