Benítez and Lomeli’s Changing Bond

Conclave

Benítez first appears as an elector who supports Lomeli, then becomes the moral interlocutor and Pope whom Lomeli must trust.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Quiet First Meeting A Quiet First Meeting from "Conclave". A Quiet First Meeting The stranger in the office Lomeli finds Benítez praying alone after his unlisted arrival.

A Quiet First Meeting from "Conclave". A Quiet First Meeting The stranger in the office Lomeli finds Benítez praying alone after his unlisted arrival.

A Quiet First Meeting The stranger in the office Lomeli finds Benítez praying alone after his unlisted arrival. His humility and exhaustion make the dean feel intrusive as he watches. Welcome into the College Lomeli admits him, finds him a room and clothes, and introduces him to the other cardinals. A practical welcome begins a bond grounded in care rather than familiarity.

A Vote of Confidence A Vote of Confidence from "Conclave". A Vote of Confidence Benítez chooses Lomeli Benítez tells the dean that he voted for him because the homily about doubt spoke to his experience.

A Vote of Confidence from "Conclave". A Vote of Confidence Benítez chooses Lomeli Benítez tells the dean that he voted for him because the homily about doubt spoke to his experience.

A Vote of Confidence Benítez chooses Lomeli Benítez tells the dean that he voted for him because the homily about doubt spoke to his experience. Lomeli is surprised and asks him to support Bellini instead. Mutual humility Each man considers himself unworthy, but Benítez refuses to let electoral arithmetic erase his judgment. The exchange gives Lomeli an unexpected supporter and a challenging companion.

The Warning Against Compromise

The Warning Against Compromise A request for Tremblay Lomeli asks Benítez to stop voting for him and support Tremblay to avoid a long deadlock. Benítez questions whether preserving institutional unity can justify violating conscience. A moral reversal The dean is forced to hear that he may be serving the Church’s structure more readily than God. Benítez’s challenge unsettles the premise on which Lomeli has organized his life.

A Request for Unity A Request for Unity from "Conclave". A Request for Unity The public appeal Benítez asks the electors to unite behind Lomeli and tells his own supporters to transfer their votes.

A Request for Unity from "Conclave". A Request for Unity The public appeal Benítez asks the electors to unite behind Lomeli and tells his own supporters to transfer their votes.

A Request for Unity The public appeal Benítez asks the electors to unite behind Lomeli and tells his own supporters to transfer their votes. He does so even though Lomeli has repeatedly told him not to vote for the dean. Care without possession The gesture is not a campaign for Benítez himself. It expresses his belief that the College must provide leadership to people facing violence.

A New Pope’s Confidence A New Pope’s Confidence from "Conclave". A New Pope’s Confidence A request to stay Benítez asks Lomeli to continue as dean and says he will need his advice.

A New Pope’s Confidence from "Conclave". A New Pope’s Confidence A request to stay Benítez asks Lomeli to continue as dean and says he will need his advice.

A New Pope’s Confidence A request to stay Benítez asks Lomeli to continue as dean and says he will need his advice. Lomeli accepts the relationship but cautions him not to promise offices prematurely. Candor in private Lomeli asks about Benítez’s medical history before the new Pope faces the world. Their conversation turns trust into a demanding obligation to protect a secret without denying its significance.

The evening Benítez arrives

The evening after the first ballot

The evening before the sixth ballot

At lunch after the attacks

Immediately after the eighth ballot