The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, has captured global attention, but a surprising detail about his preparation has emerged. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who took the papal name Leo XIV on May 8, watched the Academy Award nominee hit thriller Conclave to ready himself for the Vatican’s secretive selection process, according to his brother. The revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into the new Pope’s mindset before his historic appointment.
Prevost, a Chicago native, was chosen after a short conclave lasting just one day and four rounds of voting, following the death of Pope Francis at age 88 in April 2025. His older brother, John Prevost, spoke to NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV in Chicago, recalling a conversation the day before the conclave began.
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“I said: ‘Are you ready for this? Did you watch the movie Conclave, so you know how to behave?’ And he had just finished watching the movie,” John laughed, highlighting the lighthearted moment between the siblings.
Directed by Edward Berger, Conclave-based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel-dramatizes a fictional papal election, capturing the tension, politics, and intrigue within the Vatican. The film, an Oscar winner, portrays the Sistine Chapel’s closed-door deliberations, complete with strategic alliances and unexpected twists, culminating in a surprise outsider candidate’s victory. In real life, Leo XIV was similarly an underdog; named a cardinal just two years prior in 2023, he wasn’t on most shortlists due to the historical absence of American popes.
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How ‘Conclave’ shaped the new Pontiff
The movie’s realism struck a chord with Vatican watchers and, apparently, Prevost himself. It depicts the conclave’s intense atmosphere, from the Michelangelo frescoes overhead to the plume of white smoke signaling a new pope-mirroring the real-life moment when Leo XIV’s election was announced to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square. Prevost addressed the gathered faithful in Spanish and Italian, marking the start of his papacy with a nod to his global flock.
John Prevost’s anecdote underscores the cultural impact of Conclave, which grossed over $150 million worldwide. The film’s detailed portrayal of Vatican traditions, like the cardinals’ sequestration, offered a rare window into a process shrouded in secrecy. For Leo XIV, watching the thriller may have provided a unique perspective as he stepped into one of the most significant roles in the Catholic Church, blending modern media with centuries-old tradition in an unexpected way.
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