Following Pope Francis's death on April 21, there has been a surge in home viewership of the 2024 drama film "Conclave". 

The Academy Award-winning film for Best Adapted Screenplay depicts the seclusion of cardinals, ministers, and other religious officials at the Vatican as they gather to choose a new leader following the passing of a fictional pope.

Variety reported that viewership of the film surged by 283% on Monday, according to data from Luminate, a firm that monitors streaming activity.

On Sunday, audiences streamed the film for 1.8 million minutes, but that number jumped to 6.9 million minutes on the day news of the Pope's death emerged.

"Conclave" delves into the political maneuvering that unfolds behind closed doors as religious leaders grapple with their faith, conscience, responsibilities to the Church, and the legacy of their late leader. It portrays the process of the electors entering the Sistine Chapel for the official conclave, where they swear an oath of complete secrecy before the doors are closed.

Interest also resurged in another Vatican-centered film, Netflix's 2019 drama "The Two Popes". Viewership jumped by 417%, rising from 290,000 minutes watched on Sunday to 1.5 million minutes on Monday.

During Oscar season, the cast of "Conclave" was often questioned about Pope Francis' health, especially after he was hospitalised with kidney failure in late February. Around that time, the cast appeared at the SAG Awards, where lead actress Isabella Rossellini expressed well wishes on stage, saying, "First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery."

Following Pope Francis' passing, numerous prominent Hollywood figures took to social media to share heartfelt tributes. Director Martin Scorsese issued a statement describing the Pope's death as an "immense" loss for the world.

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"He was truly an extraordinary person," Scorsese wrote. "He openly recognised his shortcomings and exuded both wisdom and kindness. His dedication to doing good was unwavering. He deeply understood that ignorance was a grave burden on humanity, which is why he remained a lifelong learner and a source of insight. He also fully embraced, taught, and lived by the principle of forgiveness — unwavering and all-encompassing forgiveness."