While now on the path to recovery, Pope Francis’s illness sent ripples of concern across Filipino Catholics. Prayers turned to contemplation about the Vatican’s future and the candidates who could lead it next. Amid the faithful’s whispers, the film “Conclave” has regained attention for its portrayal of the secretive process of electing a new pope.

For many Catholics, the pope embodies a supreme moral authority. His election is an act of faith, one that affirms Christ’s presence in the Church. But “Conclave” paints the supposed solemn ritual as a turbulent process, driven by political intrigue, modern challenges, and human ambition. It dismantles the illusion of the Church’s rigidity, unveiling the politics behind its supposed walls of impartiality. 

The film reflects the Church’s internal ideological battles, where power struggles inevitably manifest. The film portrays competing conservative, liberal, and progressive forces engaged in a tug-of-war behind the walls of the Vatican. Cardinal Bellini, who advocated for greater female roles in the Curia, and Cardinal Benitez, an intersex cardinal who did ministry in war-torn Afghanistan and Democratic Republic of the Congo, clash with Cardinal Adeyemi’s homophobic prejudice and Cardinal Tedesco’s Islamophobic rhetoric.

Outside the Church’s walls, the institution hides these tensions by portraying itself as monolithic and unchanging. In projecting this image, the Church actively engages in political maneuvering to preserve its moral authority and maintain social control, frequently leveraging its influence over other institutions.

The Church does this by asserting cultural hegemony—a concept coined by Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci. It exerts political and economic influence during key historical moments, integrating state institutions such as the executive branch and legislature, along with segments of the elite, into its sphere of control. 

In the Philippines, the Church has shaped national consciousness on issues such as divorce, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ rights. For instance, Catholics protest against the Reproductive Health bill as they perceive it as anti-life and morally wrong. Yet institutional problems undermine its supposed moral authority, including clerical sexual abuse scandals and allegations of corruption within the diocese—ranging from financial misconduct to the clergy's alleged extravagant lifestyles.

Through its actions, the Church maintains cultural hegemony by promoting conservative values. But the actions of its members also shed light on how to recast that hegemony. Figures like Cardinal Jaime Sin and platforms like Radio Veritas mobilized the masses against Marcos, proving the Church’s emancipatory power beyond the spiritual realm.

Any hegemonic power’s grip, then, is never absolute. To dismantle hegemony, the organic intellectual class serves as a voice for alternative approaches and the marginalized, pushing for reforms that challenge its rigid traditions and hierarchical control. During and after EDSA, the Church embedded itself in the ruling class, shaping national discourse and governance. Even within the institution, figures like Manila Cardinal Luis Tagle have pushed for progress, condemning Duterte’s war on drugs.

As “Conclave” portrays through Cardinal Lawrence’s struggle to navigate competing cardinal factions, hidden secrets, and political maneuvering, the Church is far from monolithic—it is a battleground of shifting ideologies rather than a singular, unchanging force. While some leaders align with the elite, reinforcing existing power structures, others advocate for the poor and marginalized, challenging systems of oppression. This internal tension highlights that Catholic institutions are neither static nor homogenous but rather ideological battlegrounds as well.

When the Church is recognized as non-monolithic, hegemony weakens—along with the institution’s resistance to progressive approaches. This shift paves the way for a more open Church, one that moves beyond rigid traditions to embrace change and foster inclusive dialogues, particularly in the Philippines, where divorce remains illegal for all citizens, the Reproductive Health Law faces strong Catholic opposition, and LGBTQ+ rights are a sensitive topic for the religious community.

Today’s world calls for a Church that listens, embraces inclusivity, and stands with those whom society often marginalizes or deems unworthy of attention. “Conclave” reflects these ongoing struggles, mirroring how grassroots movements, progressive clergy within the institution, and marginalized communities in the Philippines continue to challenge religious and political dominance. The Church is defined by what it does next, as Cardinal Benitez, originally Filipino in the film’s source material, said.

If the Church is to remain true to its mission of serving the poor and oppressed, it must move beyond exclusionary rhetoric and reject its use as a tool for condemnation or neglect. Instead, it must embrace progress and inclusivity—uplifting, empowering, and standing with those who need it most. ●