Synopsis
In Robert Harris's novel "Conclave," the sudden death of a progressive pope sets the stage for a high-stakes papal election within the secretive confines of the Vatican. Cardinal Jacopo Lomeli, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, is tasked with overseeing the conclave, a process fraught with political maneuvering and personal revelations.
As 118 cardinals gather, four emerge as leading candidates: the liberal Secretary of State, Cardinal Aldo Bellini; the ambitious Canadian Camerlengo, Cardinal Joseph Tremblay; the traditionalist Nigerian Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi; and the conservative Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco. The unexpected arrival of Cardinal Vincent Benítez, appointed in pectore by the late pope, adds intrigue to the proceedings.
Throughout the conclave, alliances shift as secrets surface. Cardinal Adeyemi's past indiscretion with a nun and Cardinal Tremblay's involvement in financial misconduct are exposed, diminishing their prospects. As the ballots progress, the conclave is disrupted by a terrorist attack, intensifying the urgency of selecting a new pope.
In a surprising turn, Cardinal Benítez is elected as Pope Innocent XIV. However, just before the public announcement, Cardinal Lomeli discovers that Benítez was born intersex, a fact known only to the late pope. After a private discussion, Lomeli decides to keep this revelation confidential, trusting in the divine guidance of the conclave's decision.
"Conclave" delves into the intricate politics of the Vatican, exploring themes of faith, power, and the human condition within the sacred tradition of electing a new pope.