Part 5/13:
Official statements from political figures like Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Emmanuel Macron followed suit, emphasizing respect and condolences. However, the social narrative was also heavily influenced by cultural and entertainment media, notably a Hollywood film titled The Conclave. Released several months prior, the movie depicted a corrupt Vatican selecting a transgender pope—an outright fabrication meant to sensationalize and criticize the Catholic Church’s hierarchy. The timing of its release, shortly before Pope Francis’s passing, led many to speculate about its influence on public perceptions.