Conclave

Conclave by Robert Harris was recommended to me by a friend. It is a book telling a story about a fictional conclave which is narrated by the Dean, a man named Cardinal Jacopo Lomeli.

In some ways it feels similar to the books written by Dan Brown although that could be due to the aspect of intrigue and the location of the story.

As the book commences it is apparent that there are different factions between the cardinals and that personal beliefs and ideas will be influential in choosing the next pope. There is a mysterious cardinal who appears but is unknown to everyone. After some research it is discovered that he was made a cardinal in pectore (under the heart, where a cardinal is created without his name being revealed).

The relations between the cardinals is noted and the changes that happen as the conclave progresses are shown expertly.

Discoveries are made about two of the cardinals who were front runners for being made pope as the ballots progress. There are lots of tensions and uncertainties about what is going to happen.

Before the final vote, the Dean makes a speech to encourage the others to make the decision that feels right and the other two cardinals who are still in the contest for becoming pope also make a short speech.

The expected, or at least, anticipated outcome is not the outcome of the eighth, and final, ballot. Yet it does appear to be the will of God which has come through.

Throughout the book I was gripped to the story and I didn’t want to put it down. The writing is eloquent but captivating and simple, it is so easy to get lost in this book.

I learnt about the process of the conclave, the corruption that can exist even within conclaves and how even cardinals can be doubtful of God’s presence. I would definitely recommend this book.

In our intercessions at church on Sunday, we discussed praying about who we will vote for at the upcoming general election. The idea of praying about this reminded me of how the cardinals pray about who they will vote for to be elected as Pope.

I know that we only have one ballot, not multiple ballots until the right choice is made, but even so, maybe we could all pray that God would put the right person or the right party on our hearts and that He would guide our vote.