- Viewership of Conclave increased by 283% following Pope Francis’ death, with 6.9 million minutes watched.
- Other Vatican-themed films, like The Two Popes, also saw a rise in viewership.
- Hollywood tributes poured in, with Martin Scorsese praising Pope Francis’ wisdom and commitment to forgiveness
The death of Pope Francis on April 21 caused a massive increase in viewers for the 2024 film Conclave. The movie, which is available on PVOD platforms and streaming for free to Amazon Prime subscribers, gained a lot of attention after the Pope’s passing. The film centers around the process of selecting a new pope, making it particularly relevant after the Pope’s death. Viewers flocked to watch, curious about how the church chooses a new pontiff.
Conclave Features Big Names and Award Nominations
Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, two actors known for their powerful performances. The movie is directed by Edward Berger and was a serious contender during the 2024 award season. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, Best Actor, and several other awards. The film tells a compelling story about the selection process of a new pope after the current pontiff passes away. After Pope Francis passed away, people turned to the film to learn more about this dramatic process, which led to a massive surge in its viewership.
Viewership Numbers Soar After the Pope’s Death
After Pope Francis died, the viewership of Conclave jumped dramatically. The film saw a 283% increase in viewers on April 21, the day after the Pope’s passing. According to Luminate, a company that tracks streaming data, Conclave saw 6.9 million minutes watched by the end of April 21. On the previous day, April 20, it had only generated 1.8 million minutes. This spike in viewership shows just how much people are interested in learning about the process of electing a new pontiff, especially in light of real events.
Other Vatican-Themed Films Also Gained Popularity
In addition to Conclave, another Vatican-related film, The Two Popes (2019), also experienced a rise in viewership. This Netflix drama saw a 417% increase in viewership from April 20 to April 21. On April 20, The Two Popes generated 290,000 minutes of viewing time. By April 21, that number had soared to 1.5 million minutes. Both films, focused on the Vatican and the papacy, attracted viewers who were interested in the subject matter after Pope Francis’ passing.
Cast of Conclave Talks About the Pope’s Health
During the 2024 award season, the cast of Conclave was often asked about Pope Francis’ health. The Pope had been hospitalized for kidney failure in February. At that time, the cast of Conclave attended the SAG Awards, where actress Isabella Rossellini wished the Pope a quick recovery. She said, “First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery.” Sergio Castellitto, another cast member, spoke about the close connection that Italians, especially those in Rome, feel toward the Pope. He mentioned that living so close to the Vatican made his relationship with the Pope feel more personal. “We see the helicopter leaving his place: ‘Oh, is the Pope flying off today and coming back!’” he said.
Hollywood Pays Tribute to Pope Francis
After Pope Francis’ passing, many in Hollywood shared emotional tributes on social media. Filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who is known for his heartfelt statements, called the Pope’s death an “immense” loss to the world. He praised Pope Francis for being a remarkable human being. “Radiated wisdom, goodness and had an ironclad commitment to the good,” Scorsese wrote. He also admired the Pope’s efforts to continue learning and spreading knowledge. According to Scorsese, Pope Francis practiced forgiveness and encouraged others to do the same. Scorsese’s tribute reflects the deep respect and admiration the Pope earned across many different fields, including film.
Why Conclave Is Climbing the Streaming Charts
The spike in interest for Conclave can be traced back to the real-life events surrounding the death of Pope Francis. People are increasingly curious about how a new pope is chosen. The film offers a dramatic portrayal of this process, making it highly relevant after the Pope’s death. The timing of the movie’s release, along with its portrayal of papal elections, has sparked a renewed interest in the film. As a result, many viewers are flocking to streaming services to watch Conclave and gain a better understanding of the importance of selecting a new pontiff.
