In the Bowels of the Vatican

 

by Pa Rock

Seriously Lapsed Catholic

The Conclave, or the secluded gathering of Roman Catholic Cardinals for the purpose of selecting a new Pope for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, begins today, under lock and key, in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.  There are currently 252 Cardinals, but only those under the age of 80 are permitted to vote in the papal election.  Those voting Cardinals are called "Cardinal Electors."    They currently number 133, and two-thirds of them must eventually agree on who will become the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.   The Cardinal Electors are basically held incommunicado for as long as it takes.

Interestingly, the next Pope does not have to be a member of the College of Cardinals, but they have been chosen from that group exclusively since 1378 a.d.

For those who would like a crash course in the atmospherics and operations of the Conclave, I have two recommendations, both being works of fiction whose storylines are enmeshed in the process of selecting a Pope.    The first is the movie, "Conclave ," which is currently streaming on Prime.  As the film opens, the Pope has just died, and the remainder of the movie centers on the problems and intrigues of choosing the next Pope.  Much of the movie was filmed in Rome with no actual scenes from inside of the Vatican.   Sets from a local film studio were used as well as backdrops simulated through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  But it all looked and felt real, and I was left with a clearer vision of what the actual Cardinals are now experiencing.

The novel, "Conclave," on which the film is based, was penned by Robert Harris, a British historical novelist and former journalist.  I have not read anything by Harris, but a good friend tells me that his novels are compelling.

Another novelist whose works are stuffed with intrigue and very compelling is Dan Brown, most famously known as being the author of "The DaVinci Code."  That was his second major novel, but his first - which I liked better - was a thriller entitled "Angels and Demons."   It focused on a fictional Conclave and the election of a Pope.  The movie version, which is very true to the novel, starred Tom Hanks, who also starred in the film version of "The Da Vinci Code."

I have read "Angels and Demons" and seen the movie at least twice.  I would recommend both without hesitation.  I have also watched "Conclave," and it, too, is very good historical fiction that never allows itself to get dull.

If you have an interest in Catholicism and what is actually occurring in Vatican City today - and possibly for many days to come, read or watch "Conclave" and/or "Angels and Demons."  Both contain plenty of twists and surprises, and will hold your interest - and both will give you a much better sense of what is actually occurring in the bowels of the Vatican this very day.