Conclave Writer Dodges Pope Health Question After Oscar Win Bad Taste

Don’t ask Conclave writer Peter Straughan if life is imitating art when it comes to the health of Pope Francis.

Following his Oscar win for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2025 Academy Awards, Straughan stopped by the backstage interview room to speak with reporters about the monumental moment, which is when he opted to steer clear of weighing in on the real-life leader of the Catholic Church.

When asked if it’s “surreal” to be watching the headlines surrounding Pope Francis’ health as his own pope-centered film is making the awards season rounds, Straughan deferred to recent comments made by Robert Harris, the writer of the Conclave novel that the movie is based on.

“To be honest, I sort of agree with Robert Harris on this, that it feels kind of in bad taste to bring in the pope’s health into this as we celebrate the atmosphere,” Straughan told the room.

Conclave — which stars Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini — tells the story of a papal conclave, a meeting where dozens of Catholic priests gather at the Vatican to select a new pope. In recent days, headlines surrounding Pope Francis’ health have led many online to point out the eerie timing of the medical episode.

On Sunday morning, AP reported that Pope Francis is in stable condition and taken off medical ventilation following a “respiratory crisis.” Doctors also shared that the 88-year-old leader of the church will remain in the hospital and is still not out of the woods as he recovers from double pneumonia.

Of the real-life Pope’s health and the social media comparisons, Straughan added, “I will say that we are all wishing him well and hoping for a speedy recovery.”

Photo: ©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

In total, Conclave received eight nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Fiennes), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Rossellini), and Best Production Design. The win for Best Adapted Screenplay is the first of the night for the film but not the first this awards cycle.

Outside of the Oscars, Conclave — which is currently streaming on Peacock — took home four awards at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards, two Critics’ Choice Awards, and one Golden Globe for Best Adapted Screenplay.

For more headlines from the 2025 Academy Awards, including a full winners’ list, a breakdown of the night’s biggest moments, and more coverage on Hollywood’s biggest night, check out the stories below.