“Conclave,” the papal thriller that has already triumphed at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and received accolades from the British Academy, is now in the Oscar spotlight. However, as it prepares to compete for top honors on Sunday, its timing raises alarm bells in the Vatican.
Currently, Pope Francis, aged 88, is hospitalized at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli in Rome, grappling with pneumonia and other infections. Each night, crowds in St. Peter’s Square have been offering prayers, wishing for the well-being of the pontiff and hoping that the dramatic tale presented in "Conclave" remains fiction rather than reality.
On Sunday morning, the Vatican updated the public, stating that following a bronchial spasm that necessitated noninvasive mechanical ventilation, the pope remained stable and was resting after a calm night. As the Holy See continues to monitor the pope's condition, prayers for his recovery resonate around the globe, reflecting the concern for the future of the Roman Catholic Church amidst this dual narrative of cinematic acclaim and health crisis.
