A Playlist For Conclave Vibes

This article contains spoilers for Conclave (2024), proceed with caution.

Like many media events, I am once again late to the party.

It was not until recently that I sat down to watch Conclave (2024) at the recommendation of my roommate and the Tumblr trending page. For those unaware of the film, Conclave follows the proceedings of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence as he participates in Catholicism’s super secret cardinal get together to nominate the next pope.

It appeared my Sunday school education was severely inadequate as I lacked any knowledge of the papal event until Conclave premiered in October of 2024.

With a two hour runtime, I couldn’t possibly imagine such a premise would be of much entertainment value. As the writing of this article displays, I was mistaken. The cast’s captivating performances and Stéphane Fontaine’s brilliant cinematography kept my eyes glued to the screen as a Mean Girl’s-esc drama unfolded within the Vatican.

As with any fandom, though I’m sure calling Conclave such would cause my Catholic mother to tremble, I immediately began connecting songs to the characters and film. TikTok had already done some of the work as my For You Page flooded with edits to Hozier soon after my viewing.

Here I’ll present you with a few additions of my own. Perhaps you could listen to this playlist while reading the novel by Robert Harris that inspired the film’s creation.

10. “God’s Whisper” by Raury

Though the title of this song would suggest that it’s a devotional hymn or perhaps a Christian rock song, “God’s Whisper” is neither. Instead, the song was featured in American Honey — a far cry from a pure Catholic film. The lyrics empower the listener to follow their own intuition and forge their own path.

Perhaps the underlying themes fit Conclave after all.

The cardinals may not believe they are following their intuition but rather the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they cast their votes. Throughout the vote God was whispering the name of the future pope in each cardinals’ ear, as the cardinals would say.

9. “The Room Where It Happens” by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Just as Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a five minute song about a meeting we know nothing about, Berger directed a film based on an event the outside world knows practically nothing about. Maybe the two of them should meet up and trade their crafting secrets.

Throughout the film, Cardinal Tedesco reminded me of Daveed Diggs’ performance as Thomas Jefferson, which truly shines in “The Room Where It Happens”. Both are a bit self-entitled and no matter how much I dislike them morally, they are captivating characters.

Cardinal Bellini’s near descent into madness as he grows ever annoyed at Cardinal Lawrence also mirrors Burr’s building rage throughout the scene.

Maybe in a few years we’ll see Conclave: A Catholic Musical.

8. “El Derecho de Vivir en Paz” by Victor Jara

Originally written as a tribute to communist leader Ho Chi Minh, Jara’s music became a symbol of resistance. Songs such as “El Derecho de Vivir en Paz” have been remastered continuously over the years to reflect the desires of current protestors.

It felt wrong not to include a Spanish song within this playlist, and what better than to include one calling for the right to live in peace.

Taking a look at Cardinal Benítez this time, the man worked in places of great hardship such as the Conga and Kabul. However, he still believed in God to bring protection and peace to his flock — those he tended over.

7. “Pilot” by Amber Run

Amber Run once again draws me in with their brilliant instrumentals and lyrics that pull at my heartstrings.

Though this is about Conclave, so back to the analysis.

Cardinal Lawrence refuses Cardinal Bellini’s call for him to be pope constantly throughout the film. He doesn’t want to be the center of the Church. However, he still holds a sense of duty to stay for the conclave, and to vote for himself.

So maybe he did want to be the center after all.

Other cardinals don’t make any attempt to hide their ambition. Cardinals Trembley and Tedesco call attention to themselves and truly crave the papacy, campaigning throughout. Cardinal Trembley even takes illegal actions to ensure his success. These two fail to see the larger picture, the greater success of the entire Church. No wonder they lost.

6. “Sun Bleached Flies” by Ethel Cain

Ethel Cain may have been raised Southern Baptist, but the religious references in her music are just ambiguous enough to envision a Catholic cathedral in “Sun Bleached Flies”. Cain doesn’t stray away from pointing out the darker parts of the Church and how it can instill trauma into its followers.

Conclave gently touches on some of the less than illustrious parts of the Catholic church. As previously discussed, Cardinal Trembley commits simony to better his chances at becoming pope. Additionally, Cardinal Adeyemi had an illicit relationship with a postulant leading to the birth of his son.

Similar to the abuse Cain illustrates in her song, Conclave peels back the curtain to shine light on the abuses that the cardinals have committed.

5. “The Line” by Twenty One Pilots

Though the song’s appearance in season two of Arcane makes it rather difficult for me to detach the lyrics from Viktor — one of the lead characters in Arcane — the song fits Cardinal Benítez as well.

The man appears nervous in his final meeting with Cardinal Lawrence as he discusses the matter of his gender and past surgery — or rather lack thereof. The physicality of the man comes into question. Could the Catholic Church and the wider Catholic community accept an intersex pope? It certainly crosses a line that doesn’t appear to have been questioned in the past.

“The Line” holds hope within its lyrics as well, a hope that is shared by Cardinal Benítez that the church will continue to progress forward.

4. “The Plagues” from The Prince of Egypt

A feature from a not-so-guilty-guilty pleasure also featuring Ralph Fiennes. I truly couldn’t picture any other song playing during the nail-biting scene where the Sistine Chapel explodes after Cardinal Lawrence casts his selfish vote.

Talk about divine intervention.

Though interpretations may vary, I believe this was God’s way of telling Cardinal Lawrence that he was not the right man for the job and to turn his attention elsewhere. At least there weren’t swarms of locusts this time, that would have been a difficult watch for those with entomophobia.

3. “The Exorcist” by CALYPSO

Another song that references the Church with little stretch of the imagination.

Honestly, “The Exorcist” is featured here as I believe everyone should listen to CALYPSO’s wonderful work. This self-proclaimed “horror-pop” blends genres such as pop, swing, and rock to form a brain worm that hasn’t left my mind since my first listen.

CALYPSO’s critique of Christianity brings one Conclave cardinal to mind: Tedesco. The infamous vaping cardinal is a strict traditionalist; his final monologue even made me sit back in my seat and cringe. As CALYPSO reminds us, the Bible teaches to love thy neighbor, but Cardinal Tedesco certainly isn’t following that rule.

Unless you’re an Italian Catholic, then he loves you.

2. “Sure As Hell Not Jesus” by Cosmo Jarvis

If my interest in dissecting the relationship between Cardinals Lawrence and Benítez wasn’t already wasn’t clear, here is another song to demonstrate my obsession.

It is slightly ironic to include this song as Jarvis’ narrator is glad he doesn’t have a friend that prays for him while Cardinal Lawrence is immensely grateful he has one that does. Robert Harris’ novel illustrates the gratitude even more — with Cardinal Lawrence kneeling before the newly elected Pope Innocent XIV — Conclave has its own twist as Ralph Fiennes grins near manically as the vote concludes.

Some would say that praising the pope so much would be sacrilegious, but a little blasphemy never hurt anyone. Right?

Honorable Mentions

“Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode: Another song with a bit of a biblical twist. This song could have played after the final vote as well, and I would have been delighted.

“Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie: This addition stems from my love of Bowie and of gender nonconforming music. Though I cannot say Cardinal Benítez would likely listen to such a song, I certainly associate it with him.

“Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash: Cardinal Lawrence questions throughout the film whether he will stay in the Vatican or seek retirement away from parish politics. I imagine The Clash played in his ears when he weighed his options.

“From Eden” by Hozier: I couldn’t exclude Hozier when compiling a playlist. “From Eden” symbolized Cardinal Lawrence’s devotion, there is it again, to Cardinal Benítez as the latter rises in rank to pope.

1. “Creature” by half•alive

Like many of half•alive’s songs, “Creature” holds a heavy theme of religion throughout with references to biblical stories such as the creation of mankind from clay and the image of Jesus Christ sitting upon his throne.

The heartbeat-like thudding of the drums, Josh Taylor’s tone full of adoration, and the innovative mixture of synths and traditional instruments culminate in a transcendent listening experience. The perfect background music for pondering over which man before you will become pope.

The lyrics of “Creature” are what steal the show and form the image of none other than Cardinal Benítez — my favorite character by far.

The end of Conclave reveals that Benítez is intersex, though he no longer holds fear or guilt for his gender. Instead, Cardinal Benítez assures Cardinal Lawrence that he is simply as God made him. If ever there was a character that was “both haunted and holy” that character would be Vincent Benítez, a being forged by God’s glory. The film illustrates to the viewer the visceral beauty of discovery — be that of Benítez’s past or Lawrence’s restored faith.

There you go, fourteen songs that encapsulate Conclave for me. Just as my other playlists, the genres, release dates, and artists are all over the place. As Cardinal Lawrence says in his homily though, variety is a gift.