‘Conclave’ Viewership Shot Up 283 Percent Following Pope Francis’ Death

16 comments

1. In the Roman Catholic Church, it was called the “Francis effect,” a feeling that the arrival of the more inclusive [Pope Francis](https://www.wired.com/story/pope-coat-artificial-intelligence-internet-trust/) in 2013 would [invigorate the faith](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/us/pope-francis-catholic-conservatives.html) and get people back in the pews.

   On Monday, Francis’ passing at the age of 88 led to an effect of a different kind: a surge in viewership for [Conclave](https://www.wired.com/story/you-have-to-rent-conclave-today-because-streaming-is-messier-than-ever/), director Edward Berger’s Oscar-winning film about what happens in the Vatican when church leaders are locked in a room—or, well, the Sistine Chapel—to decide who will be the next pope.

   Streaming viewership for Conclave increased 283 percent after Pope Francis’ death, jumping from 1.8 million minutes watched on April 20 to 6.9 million minutes watched on Monday, according to data from analytics firm Luminate. [Netflix](https://www.wired.com/tag/netflix/)’s The Two Popes, meanwhile, saw a 417 percent increase in viewership over that same period, jumping from 290,000 minutes to 1.5 million minutes.

   In some ways, these numbers are to be expected. Conclave’s arrival last year and eight Oscar nominations (it won for Best Adapted Screenplay) had already made it a popular film. The fact that the Vatican is about to start a real-life conclave in just a few days only increases the attention on the film. The Two Popes, meanwhile, is about Pope Francis himself, and the relationship he had with his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.

   Read the full story: [https://www.wired.com/story/conclave-viewership-shot-up-283-percent-following-pope-francis-death/](https://www.wired.com/story/conclave-viewership-shot-up-283-percent-following-pope-francis-death/)

2. I wonder what pronouns the next pope will use? 😉

3. Pope fever! Catch it!

4. When the Pope dies is he being fired or promoted?

5. It’s an amazing film. Fiennes should have won an Academy Award. For as polarizing as a religious film is in Hollywood, it’s a crime Fiennes didn’t take home the prize. The film and his performance is that good.

6. “The algorithm told me to watch it”

7. Wonderful movie.

8. If any of those viewers are maga, they’re going to lose their shit with the reveal. lol

9. Yeah, I’ll probably watch it soon, too.

10. “Authorities say the phony pope can be recognized by his high-top sneakers
    and incredibly foul mouth.”

11. I mean duh!, everyone need to become vatican expert given the situation,so they can express their hot takes on internet

12. Boy are those people in for a treat

13. They’re going to hate the ending lol

14. Thought it was a documentary.

15. Great ad for the movie: “just have Vance kill the pope and it’ll triple Blu-ray rentals!”

16. 15 new people tuned in.

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