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New Pope Watched Ralph Fiennes’ Conclave Before Election ‘So He Knew How to Behave’
May
Just hours before his historic election, Pope Leo XIV turned to a most unexpected source for papal preparation: Ralph Fiennes.
According to the new pontiff’s brother, John Prevost, the future pope watched Conclave — the Oscar-winning drama starring Fiennes — shortly before cardinals convened to elect him. The film, which dramatizes the secretive Vatican ritual of choosing a new pope, helped him mentally prepare for what was to come.
“I said, ‘Are you ready for this? Did you watch the movie Conclave so you know how to behave?’” Prevost told NBC News. “He had just finished watching the movie Conclave, so he knew how to behave.”
Prevost, who lives in Illinois, offered a glimpse into his brother’s mindset ahead of the momentous vote. The two reportedly played mobile games like Wordle and Words With Friends to keep things light. “It was just to keep his mind off of life in the real world,” he said.
He added with a chuckle, “I said, ‘Well, do you have your red socks?’ Doesn’t go over well all the time.”
Conclave, directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’ novel, follows Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence as he navigates intrigue and conspiracy among sequestered cardinals charged with choosing a new pope. The film was both a commercial and critical hit, earning $119 million globally on a $20 million budget. It scored eight nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards and won for Best Adapted Screenplay (Peter Straughan).
Beyond its cinematic accolades, the film found unexpected relevance with Pope Leo XIV — formerly American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost — just as he assumed the Catholic Church’s highest office following the death of Pope Francis in April.
Earlier this year, Conclave stars paid tribute to Pope Francis during the 2025 SAG Awards, acknowledging his failing health after a respiratory emergency. Isabella Rossellini, who portrayed a nun in the film, honored the late pontiff alongside castmates Fiennes, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto.
“First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery,” Rossellini said, to a standing ovation.
It seems the cinematic portrayal of papal tradition provided not just dramatic tension for viewers, but spiritual and emotional grounding for a future pope — one who, just hours before his election, was still very much a man with a sense of humor, a phone, and a Wordle streak.
