As the Catholic Church prepares to select a new leader following the death of Pope Francis, the world’s attention turns to one of history’s most mysterious traditions: The Papal Conclave.
Behind the grand doors of the Sistine Chapel, a group of high-ranking cardinals will soon gather to cast their votes in a process steeped in secrecy, ritual, and high-stakes politics. The outcome will shape the future of the Church’s 1.4 billion followers.
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The Conclave: A locked-door decision
The word conclave comes from Latin, meaning “with a key” — a fitting name for an election held in total isolation. Once the cardinals enter, they are cut off from the outside world. No phones, no news, no outside influence. Their only task: to choose the next pope.
Of the more than 220 cardinals worldwide, only those under 80 years old — around 120 — are eligible to vote. Most were appointed by Pope Francis himself, meaning his progressive vision will likely influence their decision.
How the voting works
The process is slow, deliberate, and filled with ancient rituals:
- Ballots are cast in silence: Each cardinal writes a name on a paper slip, then swears an oath as they place it in a chalice.
- No debates, no speeches: Just repeated voting, up to four times a day, until one man secures a two-thirds majority.
- Smoke signals announce the result: Black smoke means no decision; white smoke means the world has a new pope.
If the cardinals remain deadlocked after 30 rounds, the rules change, and a simple majority can decide. The longest conclave in modern times lasted five days in 1922.
From voting to vestments: What happens next?
Once elected, the new pope is asked two critical questions: Do you accept? and What name will you take?
He is then whisked into the Room of Tears, where Vatican tailors have prepared three sets of white papal robes in different sizes. Moments later, the world hears the famous Latin proclamation: "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope!").
A process so secret, it inspired a thriller
Though actual filming within the Vatican was off-limits, the filmmakers painstakingly recreated the settings, including a digital Sistine Chapel, lending a sense of authenticity to the proceedings. The tone is reverent yet riveting, peeling back the veil on the inner workings of the Catholic Church.
At the heart of the drama is Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes, the reserved and widely respected Dean of the College. As voting progresses, ideological divisions surface between conservative hardliners and progressive reformists, reflecting the real-world tensions that have shaped the modern Church. But a shocking twist threatens to shake the entire conclave: Lawrence discovers he is the late pope’s illegitimate son.
This fictional bombshell turns the sacred ritual into a personal crisis, raising complex questions.
A church at the crossroads
Now, fiction and fact are strangely aligned. As the Vatican braces for another conclave, the same questions raised in the movie echo in real life: Who should lead? Will the Church continue along Pope Francis’s path of reform and openness, or revert to a more conservative stance?
The upcoming conclave isn’t just about selecting a pope, but it’s about defining the Church’s direction for years to come. And with Conclave now available to stream, the world has a surprisingly gripping crash course in what’s at stake.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.