The world watches with bated breath as the next papal election approaches.

In the days following the death or resignation of a pope, an ancient and solemn tradition quietly unfolds behind the high walls of the Vatican: the papal conclave. It's a time known as sede vacante—when the papal seat is vacant and the world turns its attention to Rome, waiting for a puff of white smoke to signal the Church’s next leader.

As anticipation builds for the upcoming conclave—a centuries-old ritual steeped in secrecy, ceremony, and spiritual weight—there’s no better moment to explore the cinema that captures the mystery and gravity of this rare event.

From intense political dramas to meditative reflections on faith and leadership, these films offer a compelling lens into the inner workings of the Vatican and the complex human stories behind the red robes and gold rings.

1. Conclave (2024)
Directed by: Edward Berger
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow
Where to Watch: Prime Video

If you're craving a gripping dramatization of what transpires between a pope’s passing and the election of his successor, Conclave delivers in full.

Set in the wake of the fictional death of Pope Francis at age 88 on Easter Monday, the film plunges into the tense and secretive world of the Vatican as 120 cardinals gather to elect a new pontiff.

Adapted from Robert Harris’s bestselling novel, this political thriller weaves intrigue, ambition, and deep moral conflict into a suspenseful narrative that exposes the inner rivalries of the Church’s highest ranks.

Releasing just days before the real-life conclave, Conclave arrives with uncanny timing—and serves as a thrilling preview of the high-stakes vote to come.

2. Angels & Demons (2009)
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer
Where to Watch: Available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube

While it leans more toward blockbuster thrills than theological depth, Angels & Demons offers a pulse-pounding, imaginative take on a conclave under siege.

In the wake of a pope’s death, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is summoned to Rome to unravel a deadly conspiracy tied to the ancient Illuminati. As cardinals convene in the Sistine Chapel, the top papal contenders begin vanishing—each one targeted in a mysterious and symbolic ritual.

With time running out, Langdon races through the Eternal City, chasing cryptic clues and uncovering layers of historical intrigue, all while the fate of the Catholic Church hangs in the balance.

Though fictional, the film provides a visually stunning and suspense-filled ride through the Vatican’s secrets and the power struggles simmering beneath its sacred surface.

3. The Two Popes (2019)
Directed by: Fernando Meirelles
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Where to Watch: Netflix

An introspective and deeply human portrait, The Two Popes pulls back the curtain on the private lives and convictions of two of the Church’s most influential modern figures: Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis.

Inspired by real events but imagined through fictional dialogue, the film delves into a series of candid, often tense conversations between the traditionalist Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and the progressive Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), as they wrestle with questions of faith, forgiveness, and the future of the Church.

While it doesn’t depict a conclave, this intimate drama captures the essence of papal leadership—the burden, the doubt, and the quiet strength required to guide over a billion souls. A thoughtful, beautifully acted exploration of conscience and calling, it's essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand the heart behind the office.

4. The Young Pope (2016)
Created by: Paolo Sorrentino
Starring: Jude Law, Diane Keaton, Silvio Orlando
Where to Watch: HBO Max and Apple TV

Visually arresting, boldly unconventional, and drenched in symbolism, The Young Pope offers a surreal and provocative take on the papacy. Jude Law stars as Lenny Belardo, who becomes Pope Pius XIII—the first American and youngest pope in history.

What begins as a seemingly progressive papal reign quickly twists into something far more enigmatic. Lenny is a paradox: fiercely conservative, unpredictable, and spiritually conflicted, he turns the Vatican upside down with his unyielding orthodoxy and charismatic authority.

More than a political drama, the series is a philosophical exploration of power, faith, and identity. With lush cinematography, haunting imagery, and moments of absurdity, The Young Pope blurs the line between divine inspiration and human ego—challenging viewers to reconsider what holiness, leadership, and legacy really mean in the modern Church.