Conclave Cast Guide: Actors and Real-Life Questions

Few films about the Vatican generate as many questions about what’s real and what’s invented as Conclave. With a cast led by Ralph Fiennes, the 2024 thriller dives deep into the secretive process of electing a pope — but viewers are left wondering which characters, places, and conflicts are drawn from life.

Lead actors: 5 main: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Isabella Rossellini ·
Director: Edward Berger ·
Source material: 2016 novel ‘Conclave’ by Robert Harris ·
Release year: 2024 ·
Filming locations: Rome, Italy (Cinecittà Studios and Vatican-adjacent sites)

Key facts about Conclave at a glance follow.

Is Conclave based off a true story?

Conclave is a fictional thriller, not a true story. The plot was invented by British author Robert Harris for his 2016 novel of the same name, and the film adaptation stays within that fictional framework. No single real conclave or pope is depicted. The narrative draws on general knowledge of conclave procedures and historical tensions within the Church, but every character and election outcome is invented.

What is the real event that inspired Conclave?

According to USA Today’s fact-check (tier-2 editorial source), Harris researched the mechanics of papal conclaves extensively but created his own scenario. The novel’s inspiration came from the secrecy and drama inherent in the process, not from a specific historical election. The film’s portrayal of liberal versus conservative cardinals mirrors real ideological divides within the College of Cardinals, but no character maps directly to a living or deceased church figure.

The implication: viewers who watch Conclave expecting a documentary about a specific pope will leave disappointed — the film is a character-driven thriller, not a history lesson.

What does the Catholic Church think of the movie Conclave?

As of early 2025, the Vatican has issued no official statement about the film. Catholic commentators and media outlets have offered a range of unofficial reactions, reflecting the Church’s diversity of opinion.

Has the Vatican officially commented on Conclave?

No. The Holy See Press Office has not released a formal position on the film. This silence is consistent with the Vatican’s typical approach to fictional portrayals — it rarely comments on entertainment products unless they involve direct misrepresentation of doctrine or historical events.

Why might some Catholics have mixed reactions?

Some Catholic commentators criticize the film’s portrayal of internal church politics as cynical or exaggerated, while others see it as a gripping drama that respects the solemnity of a conclave while acknowledging human flaws. Traditionalist Catholics have objected to the depiction of a fictional progressive pope (Pope Leo) and the liberal reforms he champions in the story — though the film is careful to note that this is entirely invented.

The pattern: the Church’s institutional silence leaves room for individual Catholics to interpret the film according to their own perspectives, from seeing it as respectful entertainment to considering it a misrepresentation of a sacred process.

Who is in the Conclave cast?

The Conclave cast is led by five internationally recognized actors, each playing a cardinal with distinct political and theological positions. Isabella Rossellini also appears as Sister Agnes, a nun whose role becomes pivotal.

Who plays Cardinal Lawrence?

Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the Dean of the College of Cardinals who oversees the conclave. Fiennes, a two-time Academy Award nominee, brings a gravitas that The Wrap (film industry trade publication) has described as anchoring the film’s moral tension.

Who plays Cardinal Bellini?

Stanley Tucci plays Cardinal Aldo Bellini, a progressive reformer and the late pope’s Secretary of State. Tucci’s character is one of the frontrunners in the fictional election and advocates for greater transparency within the Church.

Who plays Cardinal Tremblay?

John Lithgow plays Cardinal Joseph Tremblay, a Canadian cardinal with ambitions for the papacy. Lithgow, known for his versatility across drama and comedy, brings a layered performance that Wikipedia’s synopsis notes as pivotal to the plot’s twists.

Who plays Cardinal Adeyemi?

Lucian Msamati plays Cardinal Adeyemi, a Nigerian cardinal who is initially considered a strong candidate before a scandal derails his campaign. The character’s storyline reflects real-world tensions within the Church about African leadership.

Who plays Cardinal Tedesco?

Sergio Castellitto plays Cardinal Tedesco, a traditionalist Italian cardinal who opposes liberal reforms. Castellitto, an Italian actor and filmmaker, lends authenticity to the role of a cardinal steeped in Vatican tradition.

Is Stanley Tucci Catholic?

Stanley Tucci has stated publicly that he is not Catholic. In an interview with The Guardian (UK-based editorial publication), he explained that while he was raised Catholic, the church’s myths never resonated with him and he struggled to believe in them. Tucci said that being in Rome for filming remained profoundly touching because of his childhood memories in Italy, but he no longer identifies with the faith.

What is Stanley Tucci’s religious background?

Tucci grew up in a Catholic household in upstate New York. His mother was of Italian descent and his father was of Italian-American heritage, and the family observed Catholic traditions. However, as an adult, Tucci has described himself as not religious. This makes his performance as Cardinal Bellini — a man deeply invested in the future of the Church — a notable acting achievement, as he plays a character whose faith is central to his identity.

What illness did Stanley Tucci suffer from?

Stanley Tucci was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2017. He underwent aggressive treatment that included radiation and chemotherapy, which affected his ability to taste and eat for an extended period. Tucci has spoken openly about his recovery in interviews, noting that his sense of taste gradually returned. The cancer is in remission as of 2024. This health information is verified through multiple interviews with major outlets, including The Guardian’s reporting.

Where was Conclave actually filmed?

Conclave was filmed primarily at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, with additional location shooting around the city and at royal palaces outside Rome. The production faced the challenge of depicting the Vatican’s most sacred spaces without access to the real buildings.

Was Conclave filmed in the Vatican?

No. According to the Motion Pictures Association (industry trade organization), the Vatican prohibits filming inside its buildings. The production team, led by production designer Suzie Davies, recreated the Sistine Chapel and the Casa Santa Marta (where cardinals stay during a conclave) entirely on sound stages at Cinecittà. The real Sistine Chapel’s frescoes were studied and digitally reproduced, but no cameras rolled in the actual chapel.

What locations in Rome were used?

The production built interiors from different Roman locations. The Wrap (film industry trade publication) reported that each room was shot in a different place: Villa Medici in Rome stood in for the Vatican gardens, Santo Spirito in Sassia served as the cardinals’ arrival cloister, and the Museo della Civiltà Romana in the EUR district was used for the sisters’ arrival scenes. The Royal Palace of Caserta, near Naples, provided additional Vatican interior sets. IMDb’s location listing (user-contributed database) notes that external shots of St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican walls were filmed on location in Rome, with the production careful to capture the correct light and angles.

What this means: the film’s visual fidelity comes from painstaking craftsmanship, not Vatican cooperation. Every interior that looks like a sacred space was built from scratch at Cinecittà.

Which cardinal is banned from the Conclave?

In the film, Cardinal Adeyemi (played by Lucian Msamati) is effectively banned from the conclave after a scandal involving his past. The plot device mirrors real-world situations where cardinals have been excluded from conclaves due to allegations or investigations.

Why is a cardinal banned in the film?

Without revealing spoilers, Adeyemi’s disqualification stems from a revelation that undermines his candidacy. The film uses this subplot to explore themes of accountability, secrecy, and the moral standards expected of church leadership.

Is Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu related to the film?

Cardinal Becciu, a real Vatican official who was banned from participating in the 2022 consistory (a gathering of cardinals) after being implicated in a Vatican corruption scandal, shares a thematic parallel with the film’s plot. However, USA Today’s fact-check confirms that the film’s story was written before Becciu’s situation became public, making any connection coincidental. The film’s fictional scandal was inspired by general knowledge of church controversies, not the Becciu case specifically.

Why do some Catholics dislike pope Leo?

Pope Leo is a fictional character in Conclave, the deceased pontiff whose successor the cardinals must elect. The film reveals details about Pope Leo’s progressive reforms — including greater inclusion of women in church governance and a more open approach to doctrine — that some traditionalist Catholics find controversial.

Is Pope Leo a fictional character in Conclave?

Yes. Pope Leo does not correspond to any real pope, past or present. The character is invented to create the ideological conflict that drives the story: the cardinals must choose whether to continue his progressive path or return to more conservative traditions.

What does the film reveal about the pope?

As the story unfolds, characters reveal that Pope Leo had quietly pursued reforms that challenged long-held church positions. For traditionalist Catholics, these fictional reforms represent a direction they oppose in real life. The film does not endorse or condemn these positions — it uses them as dramatic tension. The takeaway for viewers is that the controversial pope is a plot device, not a commentary on any real pontiff.

Conclave cast: separating fact from fiction

The confusion between Conclave and reality stems from its exceptional production design and the real-world gravitas of its cast. Here’s the breakdown of what’s verified and what remains unresolved.

“We create gods because the world is chaos.”

— Ralph Fiennes, quoted on the film’s philosophical theme in The Guardian

“Being in Rome remains profoundly touching to me because of my childhood memories in Italy. But the church’s myths never resonated with me.”

— Stanley Tucci, speaking about his religious background in The Guardian

“The novel dramatizes the inner workings of a conclave without being a documentary. Every character serves the story, not a historical record.”

— Robert Harris, author of the source novel, as paraphrased in USA Today’s fact-check

“We couldn’t film in the Vatican. So we built it. Every fresco, every marble floor, every altar — all recreated at Cinecittà.”

— Suzie Davies, production designer, cited by Motion Pictures Association

For viewers researching the Conclave cast and its connections to reality, the evidence points one direction: the film is a masterfully constructed fiction that borrows the Church’s rituals and tensions without documenting any specific event. The actors’ performances, the locations, and the plot are all inventions — but they’re inventions so well-crafted that they feel like reporting.

For a detailed breakdown of the ensemble, see the full actors list and key roles on CivicReport.

Frequently asked questions