The sudden passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday led to a significant surge in viewership for the thriller film Conclave, which depicts a fictional pope’s death and the subsequent election process among cardinals. According to Luminate, streaming views increased by 283% following the announcement, with around 6.9 million minutes viewed on April 20, compared to 1.8 million the previous day. The film won Best Picture at the Baftas earlier this year and was nominated for eight Oscars.
The conclave’s viewership spike is reminiscent of another papal drama, The Two Popes, which saw a 417% increase in streaming views following its release in 2019. The awards campaign for Conclave coincided with Pope Francis’ hospitalization for kidney failure in late February, fueling public interest in the film.
Several Italian actors from the cast, including Isabella Rossellini and Sergio Castellitto, expressed their support and concern for Pope Francis during a SAG awards ceremony. Director Martin Scorsese also paid tribute to the pope, describing him as “a remarkable human being” who radiated wisdom and forgiveness.
Conclave is an adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel, with screenwriter Peter Straughan winning a Bafta and Oscar for his work. The film follows Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes, as he navigates the secretive process of choosing a new pope and confronting his own religious doubts.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/23/conclave-viewership-rose-283-on-day-of-pope-francis-death