The cast of “Conclave” is praying for Pope Francis.
The film’s stars Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow and Sergio Castellitto sent well-wishes to the 88-year-old sovereign — who has been hospitalized for health issues — at the SAG Awards 2025 on Sunday.
“First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery,” Rossellini, 72, said onstage as the group introduced their movie.
“Conclave is the secret meeting where the new pope is elected,” the Italian actress continued, “and this is what this film is about. It all happens behind the secret world of the Vatican.”
Fiennes, 62, added, “A papal election turns into a battleground for competing agendas and egos, leaving no candidate safe from — I don’t know if I say inquiry or inquiry.”
Lithgow, 79, said, “‘Conclave’ takes a look at the complex people behind the closed doors of an age-old institution and the weight of their decisions. And I do mean weight, because those costumes must’ve weighed about 500 pounds. That’s not even counting the jewelry, which, I’m forced to confess, I stole!”
Later in the night, “Conclave” took home the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Backstage after the win, Rossellini told reporters, “We are very, very worried for our pope. We love this pope —Papa Francesco, Pope Francis. We wish him well. We wish him to recover.”
“Conclave” follows religious leaders as they work to select the new pope while unearthing dark secrets and corruption within the Roman Catholic Church.
The film has won one SAG Award, one Golden Globe Award and four BAFTA Awards, and is up for eight awards at the upcoming 2025 Oscars, including Best Picture.
Francis, who has been pope since 2013, was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days, with doctors diagnosing him with pneumonia in both lungs.
The Vatican said his condition was critical for the first time on Saturday, with the pontiff needing supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions following a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis.”
In a Sunday update, the Vatican said Pope Francis is still in critical condition and has a kidney issue that is “currently under control.”
The statement also described the pope as “alert and well-oriented” and said he was receiving “high-flow oxygen therapy” through a tube under his nose.
Francis released a message to the public over the weekend and told the faithful to “pray for me.”
“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary,” he said on X.
The Diocese of Rome, which the pope leads, held a special Mass on Sunday for the ailing Francis. Congregants have also flocked to the Vatican and outside Gemeli hospital to offer prayers.
