In the days that follow, a centuries-old ritual unfolds behind closed doors: the papal conclave. Watch these movies to get it.

With the death of a sitting pope or the unexpected resignation of a reigning one, the Roman Catholic Church enters a period of solemn tradition and quiet suspense, the sede vacante, when the papal seat lies vacant and all eyes turn to the Vatican. 

As the world anticipates the next papal conclave, a centuries-old ritual shrouded in secrecy and ceremony, there’s no better time to dive into films that explore the power, politics, and spirituality behind the papacy. 

From dramatic thrillers to philosophical portraits of modern Popes, these films will take you deep inside the Vatican, offering context, imagination, and intrigue ahead of the election of the next head of the Catholic Church.

1. Conclave (2024)

Directed by: Edward Berger
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow
Where to Watch: Prime Video

If you’re looking for a gripping, dramatised look into what happens after a pope dies but before the white smoke rises, Conclave is your go-to.

Set in the immediate aftermath of Pope Francis’s fictional death at 88 on Easter Monday, Conclave imagines what unfolds as 120 cardinals from around the world descend upon the Vatican to elect the next pontiff.

Based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel, this political thriller reveals the rivalries, secrets, and moral dilemmas that shape one of the most sacred and secretive votes on Earth.

Expect betrayal, suspense, and the eternal tug-of-war between faith and ambition. Its release, just days before the real-world conclave is set to begin, couldn’t be more perfectly timed.

2. Angels & Demons (2009)

Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer
Where to Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube

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While this one leans more toward fictional thrills than theological reflection, Angels & Demons throws you into the high-stakes chaos of a conclave gone rogue.

Following the death of a pope, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks) is called to Rome to decipher a deadly plot by the Illuminati.

As the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope, someone is kidnapping the top candidates, one by one.

Set against a ticking clock and iconic Roman backdrops, the film combines cryptic clues, ancient rivalries, and the desperate race to protect the Church’s future. 

3. The Two Popes (2019)

Directed by: Fernando Meirelles
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Where to Watch: Netflix

This intimate, character-driven drama offers a stunning window into the minds and souls of two of the Catholic Church’s most recent leaders: Pope Benedict XVI and then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who would go on to become Pope Francis.

Inspired by true events, The Two Popes imagines a series of fictionalised conversations between the conservative Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and the reform-minded Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), as they debate the future of the Church amidst scandal and change.

Rather than focusing on the conclave itself, this film explores the humanity, conflict, and compassion that shape papal leadership, making it essential viewing to understand the spiritual depth behind the position.

4. The Young Pope (2016)

Created by: Paolo Sorrentino
Starring: Jude Law, Diane Keaton, Silvio Orlando
Where to Watch: HBO Max and Apple TV

Stylised, surreal, and often provocative, The Young Pope is unlike any portrayal of the Vatican you’ve seen. Jude Law plays Lenny Belardo, the newly elected Pope Pius XIII, the youngest and first American pope in history.

What starts as a moment of youthful hope quickly spirals into a story of unpredictable power, rigid ideology, and spiritual contradiction. Lenny is mysterious, fiercely orthodox, and disturbingly charismatic, disrupting the traditions of the Vatican in ways that shock both the faithful and the clergy.

With gorgeous cinematography, dreamlike visuals, and philosophical musings on belief and identity, this series peels back the layers of papal mystique and leaves you questioning what kind of leader the Church truly needs.

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In 2015, Nigerian hip hop was been dominated by indigenous rappers Olamide, Phyno, and Reminsice who marked the moment with their era defining collaboration ‘Local Rappers’.

5 years before its release, the Nigerian music industry lost one of the shining lights in rapper Da Grin, whose smooth westernised delivery, new school swag, and seamless Yoruba fusion announced a new era for Indigenous hip hop.

A big chunk of the enduring success of indigenous hip hop is owed to Da Grin, who left a legacy that continues to shine 15 years later.

On April 22, 2015, Da Grin, born Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, made a sad exit after a fatal car accident on his way back from the nightclub.

While only 25, he packed so much into his two-year run as one of Nigeria’s foremost hip-hop protagonists.

While his name was already popping up in the underground hip-hop scene circa 2007 after he released his debut LP ‘Still On The Matter,’ it wasn’t until he released his sophomore LP ‘Chief Executive Omo Ita (CEO)’ that he gained mainstream success.

The title which translate to “Chief Executive Street Boy” saw Da Grin boldly adorn the clock of a young man whose talent was forged by the harsh realities of the streets.

Like several artists who drew inspiration from what lay around them, Da Grin had the dreams of making out of what is today called “Trenches” in Nigerian pop culture parlance.

He made this ambitious declaration on the album’s opener ‘Ghetto Dreams’ where he delivered western-influenced flows similar to a hungry Rick Ross attempting to make his name in ‘Port of Miami’.

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He found a good partner in producer Sossick, who chopped on American Hip Hop with cultural context.

Da Grin had dreams of pursuing life as the average Nigerian youth would imagine. He wanted to become a professional and excel in a noble profession.

Maybe become a doctor. He nursed dreams of becoming President, or perhaps he could become a celebrated Pastor like Chris Oyakhilome.

However, to his left and right lay limitations. The financial type that relegates his family to a section of society where there are limits to how a young man can dream.

Amidst this reality, Da Grin found an outlet through music, and he embraced it with both hands.

Unlike being a doctor and President, which requires advanced education that doesn’t come cheap, or leading a church that requires a prescribed level of morality, music only demands that he possess talent and a dream.

Armed with both, Da Grin drew inspiration from American hip-hop greats who defied the odds to become household names and heroes in their hoods.

He took the flows of Ludacris, Chamillionaire, Young Jezzy, and Rick Ross, among other stars, and interpreted them with the originality of a man from Alagbado in Lagos.

The result was the swagger of American hip hop and the spirit and cultural identity of a Yoruba man, which brought his music closer to a young generation whose hip hop radar was tuned to American stars like Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

‘CEO’ holds a comprehensive display of his talent and how it inspired a new dawn for Nigerian hip hop.

He made the ultimate Naija boy anthem with the classic ‘Pon Pon Pon’ where he declares his intention to dominate.

He gave the ladies a jam with ‘Kondo’. He showcased the storied partnership between rappers and singers in ‘Thank God’ featuring Omawunmi. He delivered a party-starting jam with ‘Gboro’ featuring Isolate.

A rapper at the summit of the game, he delivered notable guest verses on Neptune’s ‘123’ where he gave fellow hip hop stars MI Abaga and Naeto C a run for their money.

He showed that indigenous rappers have as much swagger in Cartier‘s ‘Owo Ati Swagger’ remix and displayed classic rapper’s chest-thumping in General Pype‘s ‘Champion’ remix.

As if aware that his time his short, he packed so much into his mainstream run and left an indelible mark in the sands of Nigerian hip hop.

In another landmark feat, Burna Boy recently sold out The Co-op Manchester which is England’s biggest indoor Arena.

The concert which took place on April 21, 2025, comes just days after the Grammy winner made history by filling up the 80,000 capacity Stade De France in Paris.

At his Manchester concert, Burna Boy thrilled fans to a rendition of the hit records with which he has built one of the most enviable touring repertoires for an African popstar.

NO GO GIVE TO CAESER WHAT BELONGS TO ODOGWU OOOOO! pic.twitter.com/B2DEPyH8D4

— benny. (@BENNY7GG) April 22, 2025

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Similar to his Paris show, he brought out Nigerian street hop sensation Shallipopi, with whom he performs the remix of his single ‘Laho’, which is quickly becoming a global viral song.

BURNA BOY LOVES THIS SONG SO MUCH! 😂🔥 #BurnaBoyCoopLive. pic.twitter.com/JrUsEcf5ky

— benny. (@BENNY7GG) April 21, 2025

He also welcomed Joé Dwèt Filé, joining him on stage to perform their collaboration ‘4KampeII’, after they both performed at the Stade De France.

Following his sold out Manchester concert, the hitmaker will be returning on stage on April 24 as an headliner for the Jazz & Heritage Festival New Orleans.

2025 is already off to an eventful start for the superstar who has announced a new album titled ‘No Sign of Weakness’ expected to be released later in the year.

The album, which will be his 8th LP, has been preceded by the Grammy-nominated single ‘Higher’ and ‘Bundle By Bundle’ both released in 2024.

Earlier in 2025, he released ‘Update’, which further raised anticipation for his upcoming album.

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Burna Boy’s last album, ‘I Told Them’, enjoyed commercial success and has become a big part of his performance lineup. Fans will be expecting the same from his next album, whose title suggests he has no intentions of slowing down.