A German Christian leader has slammed he recent Hollywood movie Conclave as “anti-Christian propaganda” that could have been produced “in the time of Hitler or Stalin.” In an statement made on the sidelines of Confraternity of Catholic Clergy conference last week in Rome, Cardinal Gerhard Müller skewered the motion picture.
He said that the movie gives the incorrect impression “that all cardinals are stupid and corrupt.” Another church official the prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said that he’d avoided the movie after hearing dozens of people complain; “I accept their judgment.” He added, “I’ve seen some clips and read some reviews and that is enough for me.”
He said it was “stupid, ridiculous, and idiotic” when a cardinal is revealed in the storyline to be an “intersexual person.” “It shows more their own corruption – that of the film’s producers – than the Church,” Cardinal Müller fired back. “It’s a very anti-ecclesial, anti-Christian propaganda film that could have been produced in the time of Hitler or Stalin.”
Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester slammed the movie in November of 2024. The Bishop urged Catholics to skip it, saying it “checks every woke box.” He wrote that “The hierarchy of the Church is a hotbed of ambition, corruption, and desperate egotism [in the movie].” He went on to say“ Conservatives are xenophobic extremists and the liberals are self-important schemers. None can escape this irredeemable situation.”
We reported how Megyn Kelly slammed the Golden Globe-nominated movie “Conclave” and also shamed the actors who starred in the “anti-Catholic.” The film stands at a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and features religious leaders as they work to select the new pope while discovering dark secrets and corruption within the Roman Catholic Church.
The movie received nominations in six Golden Globes categories, and is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris. Before the awards show, Kelly took to X to make her issues with the film known. The media superstar said “Just made the huge mistake of watching the much-celebrated “Conclave” & it is the most disgusting anti-Catholic film I have seen in a long time.”
She added “Shame on Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci & John Lithgow for starring in it & shame on director Edward Berger (among others). ‘Spoiler:’ They make THE POPE INTERSEX!” She went on to complain that “There are almost no redeeming characters in the movie – every cardinal is morally bankrupt/repulsive.” The film is up for awards in original Score, Screenplay of a Motion Picture, and Drama Motion Picture categories.
She explained that The only exception of course is the intersex pope (who – surprise! – has female reproductive parts) & the cardinal who keeps her secret – bc of course that kind of Catholic secret-keeping must be lionized.” Kelly stated “I’m disgusted. What a thing to release to streaming just in time for Christmas. They would never do this to Muslims, but Christians/Catholics are always fair game to mock/belittle/smear.”
Watch the Trailer Here:
Users had a mixed response to her post. “Try being Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ). It’s a double whammy: Christian which a lot of other Christians make fun of. We get it from both sides,” one user replied. Others stated that the Vatican and Pope were “corrupt.” “They are not what you think they are,” said another poster. “They don’t represent Christ. Huge difference between being a Christian and what they are doing in the Vatican.”
Featured image: Screen shot from embedded video.