ROME (AP) — With Pope Francis a few weeks away from his 88th birthday, the plotting for his successor is well underway at the Vatican.
How timely, then, that just across town in Rome, “ Conclave ” a thriller filled with back-stabbing, manipulative cardinals, quick to toss morality out of the window as they promote their candidate, is a top draw at the Rome Film Festival.
This might be a little too close to home — literally and figuratively — for Pope Francis.
Austrian-Swiss Director Edward Berger, who directed “All Quiet on the Western Front” (2022), adapted the film from the 2016 novel “Conclave” by Robert Harris. Berger puts an extraordinary Ralph Fiennes in the role of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, dean of the College of Cardinals responsible for organizing the conclave.
The conclave is the centuries-old tradition in which, on the death of a pope, cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to participate in rounds of voting until they elect a new pontiff. Conclave comes from the Latin “cum clave,” meaning “with a key,” to indicate the Cardinals are locked in until they have chosen the new leader for the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.
The whole process is conducted under the spectacular frescoed ceiling painted by Michelangelo, and his masterpiece “The Last Judgment” depicting the fate of men heading to heaven or hell covers the wall behind the altar. During the entire process, the prelates are cut off from communicating with the outside world and must live in seclusion inside the Vatican.
Conclaves have a reputation as a no-holds-barred competition as cardinals make backroom deals to elect their favorites in secret ballots.
At the end of each round of voting, the ballots are thrown in a specially constructed stove in the Sistine Chapel, with a chemical added that will color the smoke.
The tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square awaiting the result will know whether or not a new pope has been selected by the smoke that appears from the chimney. Black means the cardinals have not yet selected a pope, white means a new pope has been chosen.
In “ Conclave ” Stanley Tucci plays Aldo Bellini, a progressive American cardinal fighting it out against the powerful conservative Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco played by Sergio Castellitto and Canadian Cardinal Joseph Tremblay played by John Lithgow. Nigerian Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi, played by Lucian Msamati, could be the first Black pope, but his homophobic views clash with the progressives.
While women remain excluded from the conclave and the highest circles of power at the Vatican, they provide assistance carrying out humble roles serving the cardinals during the conclave period. Isabella Rossellini plays a nun who surprises in her role of quiet observer who does not miss a trick.
While a thriller, the film often comes close to the real workings and current debates at the Vatican. As the stars of the film strolled down the red carpet, some wondered how the film would be viewed over at the Vatican.
“It's intriguing. Are they sitting there at the Vatican watching the news coverage of ‘Conclave’?” actor Fiennes said. “I am sure there are a few people in the Vatican who would be curious to see what the film is saying.”
Despite his age and serious health issues, including a bad knee which has forced him to use a wheelchair, Pope Francis does not appear to be slowing down. In August he took his longest and most challenging trip ever, traveling by air to four countries in the Asia-Pacific. This month he has presided over the synod, a three-week meeting of more than 360 bishops and lay people to discuss the future of the church.
But Francis is not immortal. Discussions on who could be his successor have already begun, but it remains to be seen if the next real conclave will be as thrilling as the film.
Sergio Castellitto poses on the red carpet before the screening of the movie "Conclave" at the 19th Rome Film Festival, in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Ralph Fiennes poses on the red carpet before the screening of the movie "Conclave" at the 19th Rome Film Festival, in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Director Edward Berger arrives on the red carpet before the screening of the movie "Conclave" at the 19th Rome Film Festival, in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
From left, Ralph Fiennes, director Edward Berger and Sergio Castellitto pose on the red carpet before the screening of the movie "Conclave" at the 19th Rome Film Festival, in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Kyler Murray never lost confidence. Even with the Arizona Cardinals down by two scores in the fourth quarter, he knew he was capable of making the plays his team needed.
Murray drove the Cardinals into position for a game-winning field goal by Chad Ryland as time expired for the second straight week, and Arizona spoiled Tua Tagovailoa's return from a concussion, beating the Miami Dolphins 28-27 on Sunday.
“I like us,” Murray said. "I want the ball in my hands. I want the ball in our hands. With the guys that we have offensively, as long as we stay on schedule and we execute, I think we can be one of the best offenses in the league.”
Murray led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to rally the Cardinals from a nine-point deficit. The first ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by James Conner that got Arizona within 27-25. The second was a methodical 13-play, 71-yard march that took the final 5:01 and ended with Ryland's 34-yard kick. A week earlier, Ryland was good from 32 yards on the last play to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 17-15.
The Cardinals (4-4) won consecutive games for the first time since Oct. 24, 2021, and they had a pair of 100-yard receivers for the first time since A.J. Green and Christian Kirk did it on Sept. 26, 2021. Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. had 111 yards and a touchdown on six catches, and tight end Trey McBride led the Cardinals with nine catches for 124 yards.
“It feels great,” Harrison said. “It does feel great.”
Tagovailoa threw for 234 yards, and the Dolphins (2-5) had their best offensive performance of the season in his first start since he was diagnosed with the third known concussion of his career on Sept. 12 against Buffalo. He was designated to return on Monday after doctors deemed it safe for him to play. He cleared the concussion protocol Friday following an examination by an independent neurological consultant.
Tagovailoa was mostly sharp, completing 28 of 38 passes. He lost a fumble on the opening drive that Miami recovered, and a snap went over his head in the third quarter, resulting in a safety.
“I would say I felt like myself," Tagovailoa said. “I've been preparing for five weeks as if I were to play while I was on IR, so it felt normal coming out there.”
Tagovailoa’s first pass was a 16-yard completion to fullback Alec Ingold on Miami’s opening drive, which ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Raheem Mostert. The veteran also had a 6-yard TD run in the fourth.
Miami fans gave a loud ovation when Tagovailoa was introduced and chanted his name after the first scoring drive. But the biggest applause came after Tagovailoa scrambled for a first down in the third and slid to avoid taking a hit, something he didn’t do on the play when he was injured in Week 2.
“I think the biggest thing was he knew his teammates were going to give him a chance to play a pretty clean game,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “He had a good amount of clean pockets, and when he didn't, he was decisive and kept himself out of harm's way.”
Tyreek Hill caught six passes for 72 yards — his first game with at least 70 yards receiving since Week 1. De’Von Achane rushed for 97 yards and had 50 yards receiving with a 12-yard touchdown catch.
“He came back and got the offense going. That was a beautiful thing to see,” Hill said. “We scored some points today, so that’s a positive.”
It was the Dolphins' highest-scoring game of the season; their previous best was 20 points in Week 1.
Murray completed 26 of 36 passes for 307 yards, with a 6-yard touchdown to Michael Wilson and a 22-yard TD to Harrison. He had 19 yards rushing.
Murray showed off his elusiveness, avoiding Jalen Ramsey’s blitz on Arizona's first scoring drive to extend the play and eventually find Wilson open in the end zone. He hasn't been sacked since Week 5.
“They couldn't sack him,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “He extended plays a bunch, had a couple of free runners, couple (cover) zeros and got out of them. He's tough back there to get down.”
Harrison beat Ramsey and got a knee down in the end zone to get the Cardinals within 20-18 entering the fourth quarter. A 2-point conversion try failed.
The Dolphins led 13-7 at halftime but their top-ranked pass defense could not contain Murray and Harrison in the second half.
Harrison had catches of 16, 22 and 18 yards on Arizona’s final two scoring drives.
“I try to be someone we can count on to make plays,” Harrison said. “Any time it’s a two-minute drill or we need a big play. I do my best to get open and catch the ball.”
Cardinals: DL Naquan Jones left in the first quarter with a hand injury but came back in the third.
Dolphins: TE Julian Hill injured his shoulder on fumble in the first, but he returned. ... S Jevon Holland left in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return.
Cardinals: Host Chicago next Sunday.
Dolphins: At Buffalo next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) enter the field before the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins linebackers Tyus Bowser (51) and Jordyn Brooks (20) stop Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner's (6) attempt to score a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami Dolphins place kicker Jason Sanders (7) aims to score a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) grabs a pass in the enzone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) grabs a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami Dolphins tight end Julian Hill (89) fumbles the ball on a a tackle by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Victor Dimukeje (52) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Arizona Cardinals place kicker Chad Ryland (38) celebrates after they won the game on a last minute field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
