Real conclaves: They aren’t the thrillers seen in film, professor says

Real conclaves: They aren’t the thrillers seen in film, professor says

Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, talks to Catholic News Service in Rome about the rules governing a conclave to elect a new pope March 12, 2025. (CNS photo/Robert Duncan) Novels and films that include or revolve around a conclave often include nefarious plotting, or at least politicking, and attempts to wing it when it comes to the rules for electing a new pope. But “those rules are set …

VATICAN CITY — Novels and films that include or revolve around a conclave often include nefarious plotting, or at least politicking, and attempts to wing it when it comes to the rules for electing a new Pope.But “those rules are set in stone,” Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, told Catholic News Service March 12, while at the Vatican to do research. If something in the rules is unclear, t…

Real conclaves: They aren't the thrillers seen in film - The Southern Cross

By Cindy Wooden  VATICAN CITY —Novels and films that include or revolve around a conclave often include nefarious plotting, or at least politicking, and attempts to wing it when it comes to the rules for electing a new pope. But “those rules are set in stone,” Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, told Catholic News Service March 12, while at the Vatican to do research. If something in the ru…

Real conclaves: They aren't the thrillers seen in film, professor says - Catholic Review

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Novels and films that include or revolve around a conclave often include nefarious plotting, or at least politicking, and attempts to wing it when it comes to the rules for electing a new pope. But “those rules are set in stone,” Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, told Catholic News Service March 12, while at the Vatican to do research. If something in the rules is unc…