Power games and back-stabbing: How true to life is hit movie 'Conclave'?

Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence and Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini in 'Conclave'. Picture: PA

As the Vatican prepares for the secret meeting of cardinals who will pick a successor to Pope Francis, forget — to some extent — what you may have learned from Conclave, last year's hit movie depicting high-level power games and backstabbing among the red-robed clerics.

The conclave of the so-called "Princes of the Church" that will elect a new pope is expected to start some time between May 6 and May 11. It will follow Francis' funeral on Saturday and wider consultations among cardinals, known as general congregations.