The title of this review of Conclave (2024) is not meant to be a nod to the more recently released Thunderbolts*.  The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) used the asterisk to denote a temporary title.  So far as I know, there is no intention of changing the name of Conclave.  At the same time, I have no intention of seeing it.  That might sound like a strange stance for a self-labeled Catholic film critic.  If it has anything to do with the Church, it would be logical for a person such as myself to discuss it.  Then again, there are an unhealthy (one might say unholy) amount of horror flicks that reference Catholicism that I choose not to watch, but that is a discussion for another time.  Instead, my aversion to viewing this one is based solely on what I have heard about it.  You can judge for yourself whether that is fair, but the rumors do not have me hopeful as to its content.  At best, the characters sound corrupt, and their decision of who to elect as pope, as is my sense of it, is deeply flawed.  I get this information from what others have written about it, and I do not find any reason to doubt it.  Hence, whatever I would have to say about it would probably not be positive.

As such, why I am I bothering with this entry about Conclave?  The obvious answer is that the title meeting of the College of Cardinals has commenced, and they will prayerfully consider the next person to occupy the chair of Peter.  Forgive me for taking advantage of a historical moment, but a blogger must also worry about clicks.  My other goal is to draw attention to what a much better man than myself has to tell you about the film.  That person’s name is Father Mike Schmitz, and he is far less condemnatory than I would have likely been.  When someone like him has an opinion on such a topic, it is best to let him have the ultimate word.  Besides, the quote on the above video’s thumbnail relates to what I consider my mission for The Legionnaire in general to be.  He also gives his thoughts in less time that it takes for you to read one of my reviews, and that has value.  Most of all, though, it is Christ centered as it should be.  In these perilous times we need that, and I pray that our Church gives as a new pope who will continue his predecessor’s work and is equipped to deal with modern challenges.