Cast of Conclave (Film) – Full Actors List and Key Roles

The 2024 political thriller Conclave assembles an international ensemble led by Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, navigating the secretive election of a new pope amid Vatican power struggles. Directed by Edward Berger, the film adapts Robert Harris’s novel into a claustrophobic drama filmed at Rome’s Cinecittà studios.

The cast features Stanley Tucci as the American progressive Cardinal Aldo Bellini, Isabella Rossellini as the observant Sister Agnes, and Sergio Castellitto representing the conservative faction. Supporting performances from John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, and Carlos Diehz portray the diverse global factions within the College of Cardinals.

Released by Focus Features, the production earned critical acclaim for its ensemble performances, culminating in a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Cast. The film’s runtime spans two hours of PG-rated suspense, with comprehensive cast listings documenting over twenty speaking roles within the sealed Vatican chambers.

Who Are the Main Stars of Conclave?

• Fiennes anchors the thriller as the introspective Dean of the College of Cardinals, tasked with overseeing the election.
• Tucci brings charismatic complexity to the role of the late pope’s Secretary of State, positioning Bellini as an early frontrunner.
• Rossellini delivers gravitas as Sister Agnes, the conclave’s housekeeper and head caterer who observes the cardinals’ private moments.
• Castellitto embodies the conservative opposition as the Italian traditionalist Tedesco.
• The ensemble reflects the global diversity of the modern Catholic Church, spanning four continents.
• John Lithgow and Lucian Msamati deepen the factional conflict as rival candidates with opposing visions.
• The collective performance earned the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Cast in February 2025.

Key Cast Members and Their Roles

Who Plays Cardinal Lawrence?

Ralph Fiennes portrays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the Dean of the College of Cardinals who presides over the conclave following the pope’s death. A British liberal, Lawrence navigates the political maneuvering of the sealed election while uncovering secrets that challenge the candidates’ legitimacy.

Who Is Cardinal Bellini?

Stanley Tucci appears as Cardinal Aldo Bellini, the American progressive who served as the late pope’s Secretary of State. Tucci’s character enters the conclave as an early favorite, representing reformist hopes against traditionalist opposition.

Who Portrays Sister Agnes?

Isabella Rossellini plays Sister Agnes, the housekeeper and head caterer responsible for the cardinals’ welfare during their sequestration. Her character witnesses the private conversations and subtle power plays that occur beyond the formal voting sessions.

Full Cast List for Conclave

The Cardinal Contenders

Beyond the primary candidates, the College of Cardinals includes John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay, a North American conservative with significant support. Lucian Msamati portrays Cardinal Adeyemi, representing progressive African interests, while Carlos Diehz appears as Cardinal Vincent Benitez, a Mexican archbishop recently stationed in Afghanistan whose late arrival disrupts the established dynamics.

Additional cardinals include Merab Ninidze as Cardinal Sabbadin, Loris Loddi as Cardinal Villanueva, and Roberto Citran as Cardinal Lombardi. Brian F. O’Byrne appears as Cardinal O’Malley, representing Irish liberal interests within the deliberations.

Vatican Officials and Staff

The film features Jacek Koman as Archbishop Janusz Woźniak, the Prefect of the Papal Household who manages the conclave’s logistics. Thomas Loibl appears as Archbishop Mandorff, while Joseph Mydell, Vincenzo Failla, Garrick Hagon, and Madhav Sharma portray various Vatican staff and attending clergy. Bruno Novelli appears as the deceased pope whose death triggers the election.

Notable Casting Choices in Conclave

Director Edward Berger’s selection of Ralph Fiennes for the lead role capitalized on the actor’s ability to convey internal conflict through restrained physicality. Fiennes, who also served as an executive producer, brought theatrical gravitas to the ritual-heavy narrative.

The casting of Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes marked a significant choice, placing an internationally recognized screen veteran in a role that functions as the audience’s surrogate within the male-dominated chambers. Her character’s observations provide crucial plot momentum.

When Was the Conclave Cast Assembled?

1. May 2022: Initial casting announced with Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini attached; Edward Berger confirmed as director.
2. January 2023: Additional casting finalized including Carlos Diehz and Merab Ninidze; principal photography commenced in Rome.
3. March 2023: Filming concluded at Cinecittà studios following a two-month shoot.
4. 2024: Theatrical release with a 79 Metascore and PG rating for thematic material.

What Cast Details Are Confirmed?

How Does the Cast Reflect the Story?

The ensemble’s diversity mirrors the contemporary Catholic Church’s global reach, with cardinals hailing from Nigeria, Mexico, the United States, Italy, and Poland. This international representation underscores the political reality that the papacy no longer remains a solely European institution, creating natural tension between traditionalist and reformist factions.

The casting of character actors like John Lithgow and Lucian Msamati alongside leading stars Fiennes and Tucci creates a dynamic where experience and authority compete on equal footing. Each performer brings distinct cultural context to their cardinal’s theological and political positions, grounding the fictional narrative in authentic ecclesiastical tradition.

What Did the Cast Say About Their Roles?

“Stepping into these characters during the secretive papal election process after the pope’s death required understanding the covert Vatican atmosphere and the weight of tradition surrounding the conclave.”

— Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, Focus Features interview

Why Does the Conclave Cast Matter?

The ensemble’s collective achievement elevates Conclave beyond standard political thrillers, offering a masterclass in restrained ensemble acting that captures the gravity of religious authority in transition. Their performances render the arcane procedures of papal election accessible while maintaining the narrative tension required for commercial suspense, resulting in award recognition that validates the film’s artistic ambitions.

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