At the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, the film Conclave made headlines by winning the prestigious Best Ensemble award, becoming the first film to overcome the competition from Anora. The event was marked by poignancy, as news surfaced about Pope Francis, who is currently facing serious health challenges.
While accepting the award on February 23, 2025, Ralph Fiennes, star of Conclave, addressed the audience alongside fellow cast members Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto. Fiennes began with heartfelt wishes for the recovering Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized since February 14 with respiratory issues. "First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery," Rossellini stated, garnering applause from the audience. This sentiment came amid reports indicating the 88-year-old pontiff's condition remains serious but stable.
The SAG Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles, where Fiennes remarked on the film's themes, stating, "A papal election turns [...] from — I don't know if I say inquiry or inquiry," highlighting the intense and complex nature of the film’s subject matter. John Lithgow chimed in with humor, saying, "Conclave takes a look at the complex people behind the closed doors of an age-old institution..." adding levity amid the grave circumstances surrounding Pope Francis.
This year's SAG Awards showcased much humor and playful jabs at popes, with Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser referring to the religious figures as "Pope-ular" during her comedy sketches. Meanwhile, Kristen Bell, who hosted the SAG Awards, offered her own comic take, joking about the film's characters and their scandalous gossiping.
With this win, Conclave has maintained momentum heading toward the Oscars on March 2, significantly bolstered by its success at the previous BAFTA Awards, where it snagged Best Film. The accolades continue to pile up, with Conclave nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Fiennes, and Best Supporting Actress for Rossellini. This push for Oscars glory puts the film at the forefront of awards season, likening its competition to the historical papal conclaves depicted within.
Fiennes, during his acceptance speech, reflected on the film's community, stating, "We had a blessed time with Edward, whose intelligence and perception... has brought us the gift of our community of ensemble." A closing sentiment shared was the acknowledgement of the ensemble’s significance, both within the film and the broader impact of their recognition.
While the SAG awards traditionally offer insights about potential outcomes at the Oscars, it’s noteworthy how the best ensemble award does not guarantee the award for Best Picture. Historically, only 15 winners have claimed both titles within the past 29 years. The surprise win shakes up the conventional narrative leading to Oscar night, which many are following closely, especially with other contenders like Anora also receiving high praise. This year, Anora has taken honors at the Producers Guild Awards and Directors Guild Awards, establishing itself as another strong contender.
With the stakes raised, the Best Picture race is now full of competition as the film Conclave continues to challenge the status quo at each turn, drawing intrigued audiences both on and off the screen. The reality of Pope Francis’s health adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, blending art with life as the film delves deeply beneath the surface of one of the most important institutions globally.
Fiennes’ enthusiasm, coupled with the filmmakers' dedication, sets the stage for what’s to come, as Conclave heads toward the Oscars and beyond, echoing the themes of resilience and recovery embodied within both the film's narrative arc and the pressing concerns for the beloved pontiff. It’s clear Conclave serves as more than mere entertainment; it bridges the sacred and the celebrated, inviting discourse on faith, leadership, and the very fabric of community.”