After seven rounds of voting, Cardinal Benítez (played by Carlos Diez) is elected as the new Pope in the film 'Conclave'. Before officially assuming the position, he reveals to another cardinal, Lawrence, that he is an intersex person.
In an intimate conversation, Benítez confesses that he considered undergoing a hysterectomy but opted to respect his body as God had given it to him. Despite having been raised as a man and living under that identity, he shared his truth with Lawrence, who respectfully kept this secret.
Intersexuality, as mentioned in the film, refers to individuals born with sexual characteristics that do not fit traditional definitions of male or female. These variations can manifest in different ways and are not always visible at birth.
An individual's genital development during pregnancy is influenced by testosterone levels. All fetuses begin with a similar genital foundation, and depending on the amount of testosterone they are exposed to, their genitals will develop with female, male, or intermediate appearances.
The film 'Conclave', directed by Edward Berger, premiered in 2024 and follows the story of Benítez, played by Carlos Diez, who reveals at a crucial moment that he was born with ambiguous sexual characteristics, including female organs. The plot intensifies with the election of the new Pope, Leon XIV, after the death of Francis.
As of April 2025, 'Conclave' is available on the streaming platform Prime Video and has been one of the most viewed films. It was also shown in theaters, grossing over 100 million dollars. For those interested in a political and religious thriller that explores secrets of the Vatican, the film offers a captivating option.
