Italian director and actor Sergio Castellitto commented that the Oscar-nominated film 'Conclave' will acquire a new meaning in light of Pope Francis's delicate health. Castellitto expressed his concern about the current situation and mentioned that the film becomes more interesting as it addresses the topic of the conclave at a time when this papal election could be imminent.
In statements to EFE during his appearance on the red carpet at the Hollywood Actors Guild (SAG) awards, Castellitto highlighted the relevance of the plot of 'Conclave', directed by Edward Berger, which follows the cardinals of the Catholic Church faced with the task of selecting the new pope in a crisis context following the death of the pontiff.
The actor plays Tedesco, a conservative Italian cardinal with aspirations to the papacy. Castellitto, who has a close relationship with the Catholic Church due to living in Rome, emphasized the boldness and Italian approach he brought to his character in the film.
Additionally, Castellitto revealed that he is working on the script for his next film project together with his wife, Margaret Mazzantini, with whom he has collaborated on several occasions. 'Conclave' received the most important award of the night at the guild's awards and is one of the films with the most nominations for the Oscars, vying for eight accolades, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Ralph Fiennes.
The critical health of Pope Francis, hospitalized on February 14 for bilateral pneumonia, adds a layer of relevance and urgency to 'Conclave', which finds a resonance in the real situation faced by the Catholic Church with a possible papal succession in the not-too-distant future.
