Cardinal David reminds faithful: Conclave film is fictional, sensationalized
Metro Manila, Philippines - Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David reminded the Filipino faithful that a conclave, or the sacred process of electing a new pontiff, is “far removed” from the actual spiritual gathering of cardinals compared to the Vatican-themed films which recently picked up more streams after Pope Francis’ death.
David, who is one of three Filipino cardinal electors in the Holy See for the pope’s funeral and the conclave, said the election of a pope is “not a political contest but a spiritual discernment.”
“The conclave is a sacred moment, guided not by popularity or strategy, but by prayer, humility, and the collective listening of the Church’s shepherds to God’s will,” he said in a social media post.
“Films and series about the conclave may be interesting, but let us not forget: they are fictional, deliberately sensationalized to be dramatic, entertaining, and profitable. They are far removed from the reverent and prayerful reality of the actual event,” David added.
Viewership of Vatican-themed films “Conclave” and “The Two Popes” recently skyrocketed in the past week following the late pontiff’s death, according to a Luminate streaming data report.
“Conclave” is a 2019 award winning film based on a novel that depicts a fictional story of scenes behind the closed-door conclave while “The Two Popes” dramatizes the relationship between the conservative Pope Benedict XVI and the liberal Pope Francis before the former stepped down as pontiff.
Conclave is not political
David urged the public to refrain from campaigning for their preferred personalities to be elected as the next leader of the 1.4-billion Roman Catholic church.
“Creating or sharing campaign videos, even with good intentions, risks turning a sacred discernment into a worldly spectacle,” he said.
The cardinal said external factors could “inadvertently pressure or politicize the conscience of the electors.”
“While it is natural to have hopes or preferences for certain personalities, we are ultimately invited to trust in the work of the Holy Spirit and the solemn responsibility entrusted to the College of Cardinals,” David said.
READ: CBCP tells Filipino faithful not to ‘campaign’ for Tagle as next pope
He then invited the Filipinos to accompany the cardinals in prayer rather than personal preferences.
“If we must speak, let us strive to speak words of encouragement, not endorsement,” David said. “Above all, let us keep our gaze on Christ, the true Head of the Church, who alone can give us the Pope we need—not the one we think we want.”
Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome on Saturday, April 26, before the cardinals announce the date of the conclave’s first ballot.
Pope Francis is the first pontiff since 1903 to be buried outside the Vatican, as he wished for a “simple” tomb in the said church.
