In the pre-conclave process, cardinals – played by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow in the film – gather to elect Pope Francis’ s successor, and engage in a discreet dance of dinner parties, coffee meet-ups, and private conversations, all aimed at discerning who possesses the qualities to lead the Catholic Church.

Robert Harris praises the secret process of electing Pope Francis's success, saying political parties could learn from it.

The movie "Conclave" paints a mostly accurate picture of the Roman Catholic process of electing a new pope, save for an implausible storyline.