Conclave’ Cast Reacts to Pope Francis Being in Critical Condition: ‘I Really Wish Him Well’

By Katcy Stephan

According To The variety As Pope Francis remains in critical condition with early kidney failure, the events of “Conclave” have never felt more timely.

The cast of the movie, who took home the top honor of best film ensemble at Sunday night’s SAG Awards, took a moment to send well wishes to Pope Francis during the ceremony. “First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery,” star Isabella Rossellini said before the cast teed up a montage of the film.

When the “Conclave” ensemble was later asked in the winners’ room about their thoughts on Pope Francis’ recent health issues and the potential for a real-life conclave in the near future, Rossellini stepped up to the press room mic, citing her perspective as an Italian woman.

“Pope Francis, I wish him well. In our film, we analyzed the election of a new pope, which is very secretive, taking place within the Vatican in in the beautiful room that was painted by Michelangelo the Sistine Chapel that we reproduced,” Rossellini said. “As Italians, we are familiar, more familiar than maybe foreigners, with the debate within the church that are very similar to the debate in every society: the role of the gays, conservative, progressive, the role of women. So Sergio and I were more familiar, maybe than all of you, but we don’t know exactly what happens during the Conclave. The film reveals the possible debates.”

Sergio Castellitto, who plays Tedesco in the film, also chimed in using his native language of Italian, which Rossellini translated. “For us that live in Rome, to live at a few meters, few yards from the Pope is to have a much closer relationship,” Castellitto said. “We see the helicopter leaving his place: ‘Oh, is the Pope flying off today and coming back!’ So, our relationship as Italians to the Pope is much closer. I repeat, I really wish him well.”