Conclave Sees a Surge in Streaming Popularity After Pope Francis’ Death | Filmfare.com (2025)

The Oscar-nominated film Conclave offers a timely glimpse into the papal elections as the Church prepares to choose its next leader.

The Oscar-nominated film offers a timely glimpse into the papal elections as the Church prepares to choose its next leader.

Pope Francis, one of the most transformative leaders of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88. His death came on Easter Monday, a day symbolically rooted in renewal and resurrection-- fitting for a man who reshaped the Church with his humility, warmth and reformist approach.

In an unexpected yet powerful cultural response, the film Conclave has seen a massive spike in global viewership. Directed by Edward Berger, and starring Ralph Fiennes, the film is based on Robert Harris’s bestselling novel of the same name and explores the high-stakes, closed door process of choosing a new pope. Viewership reportedly surged by 283 percent after news of Pope Francis’ death broke -- clearly indicating public interest in understanding the rituals and politics of the Vatican.While it is dramatised, Conclave also captures the solemnity and secrecy of one of the world’s oldest election processes. The film is currently available to stream on Prime Video.As the Church enters this period of transition, Conclave offers a gripping reflection of the age-old traditions shaping the future of global faith.The world watches as the Catholic Church navigates this pivotal transition and ‘Conclave’ offers viewers an opportunity to engage with the profound questions of faith, leadership, and legacy.

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