After Pope Francis’s recent passing, the 2024 film Conclave has soared back into the spotlight.
Conclave follows Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) as he partakes in one of the most elusive ceremonies of all time: appointing the new pope.
As Lawrence interacts within the Vatican alongside some of the highest-ranking clergymen, he discovers some of the darkest secrets that can dismantle the Roman Catholic church to its bones.
The film takes place in Vatican City, one of the holiest places on earth. In addition to the public interest in watching a Hollywood version of appointing a new pope, there is much curiosity about where Conclave was filmed, including whether Ralph Fiennes was really acting within the Sistine Chapel.
Keep reading to find out more!
The film was shot on location in Rome and takes place in the Vatican, the holiest site of the Catholic Church. Some locations within the Vatican are some of the most secure; filming inside is prohibited.
According to NBC, the film uses footage of real landmarks within Rome. To bypass the no-filming issue, they recreated the Sistine Chapel and Casa Santa Marta on a soundstage with assistance from one of Europe’s most experienced production houses, Cinecittà Studios.
According to Screenrant, Cinecittà Studios has worked on other significant projects, like Gladiator and The Godfather.
Variety spoke with production designer Suzie Davies about how she recycled an older set for Conclave. “It was packed down into flats which were eight by four feet, and we built them back up,” she said. “The painting crew was extraordinary, and we put the Sistine Chapel together again in 10 weeks.” This is an impressive timeline, considering how authentic the set appears in the film’s final cut.
Outside of the replicas of the Santa Marta and the Sistine Chapel, locations throughout Italy were featured in major scenes throughout the film.
Screenrant also reported that Caserta Palace, The Cloister Of Santo Spirito, and the Museum of Roman Civilization were popular locations the audience may recognize. The dedication to detail in depicting an authentic replica was recognizable; the scene in the Caserta Palace shows the brilliance of choosing a sophisticated and beautiful location to portray the Vatican. The Cloister Of Santo Spirito is a 12th-century church used for the arrival of the cardinals in the film and features grand architecture that is both graceful and subtle. The Museum of Roman Civilization was used for its ability to hold a large crowd in a scene while maintaining the pattern of beautiful structures.
Conclave’s depiction of the Sistine Chapel, Santa Marta, and the Vatican City is an inexpensive way to get an inside look at one of the holiest places on earth without having to fly to Rome.