A cardinal’s account of the conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV contrasts sharply with the dramatic portrayal in the film “Conclave.” Cardinal Vincent Nichols described the experience as a fraternal and spiritual retreat, devoid of the tension depicted in the movie, noting a refreshing atmosphere among the 133 cardinals. He emphasized that there was no sense of pressure or scheming during their time together, describing it instead as a congenial gathering where all participants felt at ease, unlike the competitive dynamics shown in the film.
