The 57-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) played a minor role as an Asian cardinal in the controversial 2024 film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes. The film has experienced a resurgence on streaming platforms and at the box office following the death of Pope Francis and the start of the process to elect his successor.
The process itself, as outlined by the apostolic constitution, is elaborate and systematic. In the “scrutiny” or balloting phase, individual cardinal electors must put their ballots in the assigned receptacles placed before the altar of Sistine Chapel, while reciting the oath aloud: “I call as my witness Christ the Lord who will be my judge, that my vote is given to the one who before God I think should be elected.”
As the cardinals of the Catholic Church prepare to head into the conclave that will select the 266th successor of St. Peter, here are some interesting facts and figures related to the Sacred College.