Ever wondered where a movie about the Vatican’s secretive pope-picking process gets filmed when the real Vatican says, “No cameras, please”? Welcome to our deep dive into the Conclave Filming Locations—the stunning spots that brought this 2024 political thriller to life! In this article, we’re spilling the tea on where the crew set up shop, when they filmed, and what went down behind the scenes of this gripping tale. Think grand palaces, studio magic, and a taste of Rome’s cinematic charm—all wrapped up in one blog post for you to enjoy.
Conclave isn’t just any movie—it’s a nail-biter about Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (played by the incredible Ralph Fiennes) navigating scandals and power plays to pick the next pope. Directed by Edward Berger (the guy behind All Quiet on the Western Front) and produced by Steven Rales, it’s based on Robert Harris’s novel and boasts a killer cast: Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini. Released on October 25, 2024, in the U.S. by Focus Features (and November 29 in the UK via Black Bear UK), it premiered at Telluride Film Festival on August 30, pulling in over $100 million on a $20 million budget. Not too shabby, right?
We’ll take you through the Conclave Filming Locations—from Rome’s Cinecittà Studios to the Royal Palace of Caserta—plus dish on when the cameras rolled and what the cast and crew thought of these epic spots. Whether you’re a movie buff or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, stick around for a front-row seat to how this Vatican drama came to be!
Filming Locations of Conclave (2024) Film
Conclave takes you inside the Vatican’s secretive walls—or at least, it feels that way! Since the real Vatican doesn’t allow filming, the team got creative, using iconic spots in Italy to build this papal thriller. Here’s where the magic happened:
Cinecittà Studios’ Place: Rome, Italy
Most of Conclave’s jaw-dropping interiors—like the Sistine Chapel—were crafted at Cinecittà Studios, Rome’s legendary film hub. Director Edward Berger gushed about it, saying, “Cinecittà gave us a playground to recreate the Vatican’s grandeur—it’s like stepping into history.” The crew found an old Sistine Chapel set in storage, spruced it up in just 10 weeks, and added modern twists to make it their own. It’s where Ralph Fiennes schemed and Stanley Tucci glared, all under those fake-but-fabulous frescoes.
Trivia: Cinecittà’s no stranger to epics—think Ben-Hur, Cleopatra, and even The Godfather Part III. It’s basically Hollywood with extra pasta!
Royal Palace of Caserta’s Place: Caserta, Italy
For those sweeping Vatican corridors, the team headed to the Royal Palace of Caserta, a stunning stand-in south of Naples. Producer Steven Rales noted, “Caserta’s elegance made it feel like we were really there—those staircases scream power.” Its grand halls and stairways gave Cardinal Lawrence’s tense chats a regal edge.
Trivia: Star Wars fans, sound familiar? This palace was Queen Amidala’s digs in The Phantom Menace. It’s also popped up in Mission: Impossible III—talk about a blockbuster resume!
Villa Medici’s Place: Rome, Italy
The Vatican gardens got a glow-up at Villa Medici, an art-filled gem with killer views. Ralph Fiennes reflected, “Filming at Villa Medici felt serene yet heavy—like the weight of the conclave was all around us.” It added a lush, contemplative vibe to the cardinals’ scheming.
Trivia: This spot’s hosted artsy films like The Great Beauty—it’s Rome’s go-to for classy chaos.
From studio wizardry to palatial splendor, these locations made Conclave feel real, even if the Vatican stayed off-limits. Pretty cool, right?
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Conclave Plot Summary
Conclave, the 2024 political thriller, pulls back the curtain on the secretive, high-stakes process of electing a new pope. The movie follows Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who is tasked with overseeing the conclave after the beloved pope died suddenly. It was directed by Edward Berger and is based on Robert Harris’ novel. Lawrence goes into the Vatican, where ambition, scandal, and power plays all come together, even though he is already having questions about his own faith.
In the beginning of the story, senators from all over the world are locked up in the Sistine Chapel in Rome to vote. Lawrence wants the process to go smoothly, but that’s just a dream. The leading candidates are not all good. There is the liberal Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), who wants change but is afraid of the job; the conservative Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), who wants to go back in time; and the shady Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow). As the vote rounds go on, secrets come to light, including wrongdoings with money, betrayals, and even a bombing that has something to do with the Church. Lawrence looks into it more and finds a web of lies that threatens the honesty of the assembly.
Each vote makes things more tense, and Fiennes does a great job playing a man who is torn between duty and hopelessness. Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz), a mystery outsider with a shocking past who changes the outcome of the election, shows up just when you think things are going one way. The end? It’s a big turn of events—some people call it clever, others hate it—that makes you wonder who really controls this holy game.
Behind the Scenes of Conclave
Conclave director Edward Berger, fresh off the gritty All Quiet on the Western Front, teamed up with screenwriter Peter Straughan to adapt Robert Harris’s novel. Berger was drawn to the story’s mix of quiet tension and explosive reveals, calling it “a chess game in robes.” Straughan, known for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, had the tricky job of turning the book’s internal monologues into cinematic drama—and boy, did he deliver.
The casting process was truly fulfilling. Ralph Fiennes signed on as Cardinal Lawrence, bringing his signature intensity to a role that demanded both restraint and raw emotion. Berger expressed that Fiennes was his first choice, praising how he “carried the weight of doubt in every glance.” Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto rounded out the powerhouse ensemble, each diving into their characters with gusto. Tucci even joked in interviews about perfecting his “cardinal glare” in the mirror.
Filming took place in Rome, with Cinecittà Studios standing in for the Vatican’s off-limits interiors. The crew built jaw-dropping sets—think Sistine Chapel vibes with soaring ceilings and rich reds—while cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine (Captain Fantastic) used moody lighting to amp up the suspense. Berger pushed for authenticity, consulting Vatican insiders to nail the conclave rituals, right down to the ballot-burning smoke.
The score, by Volker Bertelmann (aka Hauschka), was another highlight, blending eerie strings with pulsing beats to keep viewers on edge. Fun fact: Berger and Fiennes tweaked scenes on the fly, improvising moments like Lawrence’s quiet breakdown to deepen the emotional punch. With a tight $20 million budget, Conclave punched above its weight, proving that stellar storytelling and a killer team can outshine any blockbuster excess.
Conclave Official Trailer
“Conclave” is available for streaming on Peacock and can also be rented or purchased through Amazon Prime Video. For those interested in a well-crafted political thriller that delves into the intricacies of Vatican politics, “Conclave” is a highly recommended watch.
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