**Thriller ‘Conclave’ Mirrors Vatican Intrigue as it Premieres in Rome**

The Rome Film Festival is currently abuzz with excitement surrounding the premiere of the new thriller "Conclave," a film that eerily mirrors the behind-the-scenes machinations of the Vatican. With Pope Francis approaching his 88th birthday and the anticipation around his successor building, the film’s release couldn’t be more timely.

Directed by Austrian-Swiss filmmaker Edward Berger, known for his 2022 film "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Conclave" is adapted from Robert Harris's 2016 novel of the same name. The story centers around the time-honored and secretive process of electing a new pope, with British actor Ralph Fiennes playing Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the dean responsible for organizing the conclave.

The film delves into the traditional conclave rituals, where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel following the death of a pope. Under Michelangelo's renowned frescoed ceiling and his powerful depiction of "The Last Judgment," these high-ranking church officials are isolated from the outside world until they elect a new leader for the 1.3 billion-strong Catholic community. The centuries-old tradition is known for its fierce and covert competition, with cardinals engaging in secretive negotiations to push their preferred candidates.

Adding to the palpable tension of the narrative, the film uses visual storytelling to depict the dramatic voting process where ballots are burned in a specialized stove within the chapel. The smoke signals to the awaiting crowd in St. Peter's Square: black for indecision, white for the election of a new pope.

In "Conclave," Stanley Tucci portrays Aldo Bellini, an American cardinal with progressive views, juxtaposed against Sergio Castellitto’s conservative Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco and John Lithgow’s Canadian Cardinal Joseph Tremblay. Another compelling character is Nigerian Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi, played by Lucian Msamati, who vies to become the first Black pope despite his controversial stances on various issues. The film also features Isabella Rossellini as a nun whose quiet observation plays a significant role, highlighting the limited but impactful roles women play within the Vatican’s framework.

As the film made its debut and the stars walked the red carpet, there was an undercurrent of speculation about how its portrayal of the Vatican’s inner workings would be received by those within the holy walls.