Vatican City: The streaming views of the drama *Conclave* by Edward Berger, starring Ralph Fiennes, have surged by 283% following the death of Pope Francis, as reported by the tallying site Luminate.
According to Ansa News Agency, *Conclave* recorded approximately 1.8 million minutes watched on April 20, the day of Pope Francis’s death. By the end of April 21, the number had risen to 6.9 million minutes. This significant increase highlights the film’s captivating portrayal of the intricate dynamics and power plays among cardinals during the election of a new pope.
Additionally, the viewership numbers for *The Two Popes*, directed by Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles, also experienced a significant rise. This 2019 drama, which depicts a fictional conversation between Benedict XIV and the then-archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was watched for 1.6 million minutes on Netflix on Monday. This marks a 417% increase compared to its viewership on Easter Sunday.
*Conclave* offers an insightful exploration of the political maneuvering within the Vatican, culminating in an unexpected plot twist that captivates audiences. The renewed interest in both films underscores the public’s fascination with papal narratives and the inner workings of the Catholic Church during such pivotal moments.
