In “Conclave,” Ralph Fiennes plays the manager of the cardinals who come to Vatican City to elect a new pope: NPR

Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence in director Edward Berger's CONCLAVE, a Focus Features release.

Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All rights reserved.

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Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All rights reserved.

When fiction reflects reality, the election of a pope can be bitter. At least that's how it's portrayed in the new film conclave.

In the opening scene, the Pope is dead. His room is sealed. Cardinals from all over the world come to the Vatican to isolate themselves until they elect the next one.

Ralph Fiennes plays Thomas Lawrence, dean of the College of Cardinals. He is responsible for managing the vote – and also for the cardinals' strong and diverse opinions about the future of the church. They deceive, plan strategies and uncover devastating secrets during their deliberations.

“Cardinals, priests – they are people. They could have ambition,” Fiennes said Morning edition Hosted by A Martinez. “Where ambition becomes self-centered and self-interest is one thing; They may have ambitions to do well in the church. I think it’s okay to be ambitious about something.”

Fiennes' Cardinal Lawrence claims that he does not seek the papacy for himself, but he is allied with Cardinal Aldo Bellini (played by Stanley Tucci), a reform-minded American. Bellini campaigns for the post primarily against the Italian Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco (played by Sergio Castellitto), who represents the conservative wing of Catholicism. His ambition is undeniable. Tedesco wants to return the church to the pre-Vatican II era of Latin liturgies and unchallenged patriarchy.

“It’s not just about stopping Tedesco,” explains Fiennes. “It’s also about moving the church forward on issues of sexual orientation, gender and women – important liberal issues.”

Ralph Fiennes grew up with his own experiences in the Catholic Church. “My mother was a staunch Catholic,” he says. He spent part of his youth in a Catholic boys' school in Kilkenny, Ireland, “until I was about 13, when I rebelled. I said to my mother, “I don’t want to go to mass anymore.” I don’t understand. I don't feel it. I don't believe.'”

Nevertheless, the script is for conclave spoke to him. “I have always had a genuine curiosity about faith throughout my adult life – and a genuine interest in people who are committed to a life in the church.”

Fiennes explored his role by speaking to Vatican insiders. At first he was embarrassed about how the work would be received. “I met some priests who were incredibly helpful,” he remembers. “They think a lot philosophically about these big questions. I didn't meet anyone who I felt was defensive about “Here's an actor playing a cardinal.” I felt like I met open and friendly people who said, “Yes, these are challenges.” They are aware and sensitive to all sorts of things related to the role of the church. I found it quite inspiring.”

conclave opens in US theaters nationwide on Friday, October 25th.