The Conclave is a gripping and beautifully acted film that draws viewers into the mystery, emotion and drama of one of the most sacred events in the Catholic Church: the election of a new pope. Yet behind its cinematic brilliance lies a deeper concern—one that practicing Catholics must approach with caution.
This blog aims to uncover and explain several critical theological errors portrayed in The Conclave. If your understanding of Catholic doctrine is still developing or if you’re struggling in your faith, it’s better to skip this film. But if you choose to watch, do so with discernment and awareness of the following misrepresentations.
Photo: Cardinal Lawrence. Credit: Thewrapdotcom
- Cardinal Lawrence and the “Sin of Certainty.”
“There is one sin I have come to fear abovfe others: certainty.”
This powerful line delivered by Cardinal Lawrence may sound profound, but it is theologically misleading. As Catholics, we understand that God is the ultimate certainty—unchanging. Ever-faithful, and eternally good. Without certainty in God and in His promises, there would be no foundation for hope or faith.
Contrary to what was said, certainty is not inherently a sin. Certainty forms a huge part of our faith. We are certain that God resurrected otherwise there is no point to our faith, (1 Corinthians 15: 14). We are certain God exists; we are certain that he sent his Son to save us; we are certain that God remains with us (Mathew 28: 20 ).
Certainty could be problematic only when it stems from falsehood or pride. The Catechism and Scripture affirm that God’s unchanging nature is our rock, meaning an unchanging or certain foundation. Suggesting that having certainty is generally a sin is false. It also potentially confuses innocent faithful. it is confusing because it is generalizing and doesn’t draw out contexts where certainty is needed and those where certainty is not necessary. Above all, the statement totally underestimates and ignores all the foundational certain truths in the Church’s foundation.
- Mystery is not the same as doubt
“If there was only certainty and no doubts, there would be no mystery; and therefore, no need for faith.”
The above statement by Cardinal Lawrence misrepresents the nature of divine mystery. Mystery, in the Catholic sense, isn’t born out of doubt—it is the awe-filed recognition that God’s full truth surpasses human understanding.
As the Catechism states, “A mystery is a truth revealed by God which surpasses the power of natural reason to understand.” (CCC 237). Mystery doesn’t diminish certainty; it elevates it beyond human grasp, inviting trust in what has been divinely revealed. Again this Hollywood Cardinal’s teachings are false.
- Misrepresenting Christ’s Cry on the Cross
“Even Christ was not certain at the end because He cried, ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’”
This interpretation by Cardinal Lawrnece ignores Catholic teaching and theological insight. Jesus’ cry was not one of doubt, but a reference to Psalm 22, a prophetic psalm that begins in anguish and ends in victory. Christ was fulfilling Scripture, pointing to Himself as the suffering servant who triumphs as prophesied in the Psalm.
Christ was not crying out – not out of uncertainty – but out of trust for the certain victory at the end of His suffering as narrated by the Psalm he was quoting. To suggest otherwise reduces the crucifixion to despair, rather than revealing its profound hope and redemptive power.
Cardinal Lawrence. Photo Credit: The Guardian
- “Faith Walks Hand in Hand with Doubt”? Not Quite
“Our faith is a living thing because it walks hand in hand with doubt.”
This is poetically misleading because it suggests that faith and doubt need each other to stand. While doubt is often a part of one’s faith journey, it is not a necessary part of it. Doubt is often a temptation and should not be considered as necessary for one to have faith.
Faith lives not because of doubt but because it is active in love (charity). The catechism teaches: “Faith is living when it is active in charity” and “is dead if it does not have works (CCC, 1814-5).
While moments of doubt can lead us to deeper understanding of our faith, it is not what makes our faith alive. Charity is what walks hand in hand with faith, not doubt.
- A Prayer for a “Pope who Sins?”
“Let us pray for a pope who sins; and who asks for forgiveness and carries on.”
This line is troubling. While it’s true that all popes are human and fallible, prayers should aspire to higher ideals. Christ taught us to pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Mathew 6: 13). This is a clear call to holiness, not moral mediocrity or sin.
Our prayers for a pope should not centre on his potential sinfulness. We ought to pray for a pope of virtue, wisdom, and strength, not merely someone who sins like us but but someone who can guide us toward Christ.
- Cardinal Benitez and the Incomplete View of War
Cardinal Benitez’s speech centres on the “war in the heart,” emphasizing inner conflict over physical confrontation. While emotionally stirring, his teachings omit crucial Catholic teachings on just war and spiritual warfare.
The Church recognizes legitimate reasons for armed defense (e.g. stopping genocide), and even more importantly, the real, daily spiritual battles against evil forces outside of the individual’s heart (Ephesians 6: 12). This omission makes his appeal incomplete, misleading and not grounded in reality or theology.
- “The Church is Not its Past”? Dangerous Thinking
This is perhaps the most theologically reckless line in the film stated also by the Cardinal Benitez.
If the Church is not about its past, then what do we make of Christ’s resurrection? The Scriptures? The Saints? — all of which are from the Church’s historical past?
The Church is rooted in her past—in the Incarnation, the Cross, and the Resurrection. God, who is outside of time, reveals Himself through history. To disconnect the Church from her past is to sever her from her very identity.
Final Takeaways fo Faithful Viewers
Despite its stirring moments and strong performances, The Conclave presents serious theological errors that could lead Catholics astray. These errors aren’t minor—they influence the story’s core message and spiritual trajectory.
Key Lessons for Catholics
- Speak up when you hear falsehoods: Correcting theological errors is a spiritual work of mercy: instructing the ignorant.
- Ground yourself in Church teaching. In times of doubt, lean into the Catechism and Scripture.
- Don’t sacrifice truth for drama: Interesting doesn’t always mean right.
Cardinal Lawrnece’s final remark after his speech—“Wasn’t anyone expecting me to say something interesting?”— is deeply problematic. His role is not to entertain, but to lead and feed the flock with truth.
Should Catholics Watch The Conclave?
Short answer: No. But, if you must, watch it with deep discernment. Watch it for its cinematic value, not its theology. Know your faith before you watch and be ready to “eat the meat and spit out the bones.” In this case, some of those bones are quite dangerous.
How the Real Conclave works?:
Click here to watch Fr. David Michael Moses explain the process.
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