Harrygop — 1 year ago(December 31, 2024 06:18 PM)

Straight from the Conclave Wikipedia entry:
Under present canon law, it would have been illegal for Cardinal Benitez to attend the conclave, as in pectore appointments end with the Pope's death unless the Pope publicly announces the appointment. The novel attributes Benitez's presence to a recent change in canon law, but the film does not mention the change.