Profs and Pints Northern Virginia presents: “Popes and Papal Conclaves,” a look at the funeral of Pope Francis and the secretive process for selecting his successor, with Vanessa Corcoran, medieval historian at Georgetown University and scholar of the history of Roman Catholic rituals and traditions.

The April 21st passing of Pope Francis was followed by a funeral and burial offering insight on the man himself and a successor selection process shrouded in mystery. The papal conclave—the gathering of the College of Cardinals to elect a new pope—has inspired novels, films, and intense speculation, but by design remains something about which most people know little.

Learn how Pope Francis’s funeral broke with tradition and dive into the secretive world of papal elections with Vanessa Corcoran, a scholar of medieval religious history and Catholic traditions such as pilgrimage and devotion to saints.

She’ll discuss the rich history of the conclave, tracing its evolution, rituals, and political intrigue. 

She’ll also look at the portrayal of papal elections in the media and pop culture, sorting fact from fiction. She’ll look at films such as The Two Popes, Angels and Demons, and, especially, the 2024 film Conclave, based on a bestselling novel. We’ll examine Conclave’s historical accuracy and creative liberties and how it reflects contemporary ideas about faith, secrecy, and leadership.

Her talk will have much for history buffs, film lovers, and anyone curious about the intersection of religion and media. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of the conclave’s mystique and its powerful presence in our cultural imagination. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.)

Image: From “A Cardinal in Profile,” an 1888 painting by Jehan Georges Vibert (Morgan Library and Museum, New York City).