Conclave 2024: Film ending and plot spoilers from the book explained

With Focus Features conclave As the trailers circulate online, some spoilers are to be expected, based on the book of the same name by Robert Harris.

The novel was published in 2016 conclave examines the political and mysterious machinations of a fictitious conclave with 118 members that must elect a successor after the death of the Pope.

The upcoming film of the same name stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini and is scheduled to premiere on November 1.

Character spoilers from the Conclave novel

Cardinal Lomeli

After the Pope’s death, Cardinal Lomeli, the novel’s narrator, is tasked with organizing the election of a new Pope (the so-called conclave). At the same time, he is struggling with his own crisis of faith and real threats that are influencing the secret process from outside.

But that is not the only task Lomeli has to fulfil. His efforts to show his neutrality amidst the political maneuvering lead to him being seen as a potential candidate for the papacy.

Throughout the book and its dramas, he is forced to question himself, his ambitions, and ultimately his beliefs about whether he should write his own name.

Cardinal Benitez

Surprisingly, the new arrival, Cardinal Benítez, is taking part in the conclave. He was appointed “in pectore” (i.e. “in secret”) immediately before the Pope’s death and is now interfering in the political arena.

Unlike other papal candidates such as Cardinal Tedesco, Cardinal Bellini, the questionable Cardinal Adeyemi and the ambitious Cardinal Tremblay, Benítez, like Lomeli, is sincere in his faith.

However, the newcomer reacts skeptically to questions about his health and tells Lomeli that he has voted for him as Pope in every election.

The pope

Although the previous pope has died, his actions in the past actively contribute to current events and help narrow down the candidates for the next papal office.

The fact that he died suddenly and without warning adds to the mystery and paranoia, as does his reluctance to speak openly with Lomeli in the final months of his life.

The whistleblower also claims that the Pope demanded the resignation of a current conclave candidate just hours before his death.

It is later revealed in both the book and the newly released trailer that the Pope had hidden files in his bedposts that ultimately confirmed that Cardinal Tremblay was buying votes.

Finally, Lomeli and Sister Agnes photocopy the evidence for each cardinal.

Conclave Novel Ending Explained

After various favorites rise and fall and several ballots are requested and counted, the end of the book reveals that Cardinal Benítez is elected, but unbeknownst to him, he is the first female pope.

Benitez was born female but suffered from a genetic disorder that resulted in her gender being misidentified for years. Various clues are dropped throughout the story, including that Benitez does not need a razor and that the Pope made a specific clinic appointment.

But that’s not all. Another surprise at the end is Cardinal Lomeli’s decision not to reveal Benitez’s gender to this male-dominated hierarchy.

Will the Conclave movie follow the book?

Certain scenes from the new conclave Trailers, as well as certain characters, appear to be taken from Robert Harris’ novel.

For example, the trailer shows the isolation of the 118 cardinals, the resulting political intrigue and pressure, and even offers a brief glimpse of the terrorist attack from the book.

In addition, footage shows how the Pope’s previously mentioned files were discovered hidden in the bedposts of his bed.

Characters such as Cardinal Tremblay, played by John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci as Bellini and Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes are also shown in several shots.

However, one notable difference between the film and the book is that the main character, Cardinal Lomeli, was renamed Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes.

Given this change and the fact conclave a film adaptation, readers must expect additional adjustments to the characters and the plot itself.

Check out the full trailer below:

conclave will be in theaters on November 1st.

For more articles on spoilers based on books, see:

Spoilers for the second season of “House of the Dragon” revealed from the book

The ending of It Ends With Us, summary and spoilers from the book, explained

Summary and spoilers of the book “Dark Matter” – explained