A Surge in Interest Following Tragedy

The Roman Catholic Church is experiencing a wave of attention following the passing of Pope Francis at age 88. Known as the 'Francis effect' for its influence on congregations, this moment has caused an entirely different surge: a massive rise in viewership for the film 'Conclave,' helmed by director Edward Berger.

Staggering Viewership Numbers Revealed

Streaming statistics reveal a jaw-dropping 283 percent increase in viewership for 'Conclave' after the announcement of Pope Francis' death. Minutes watched skyrocketed from 1.8 million to 6.9 million within days, according to analytics firm Luminate. Additionally, Netflix's 'The Two Popes' experienced an even more astonishing 417 percent spike, soaring from 290,000 to 1.5 million minutes.

Why the Spike Was Predicted

While these numbers might seem surprising, they reflect a pattern seen after major news events. 'Conclave,' which had already gained traction from its Oscar-winning narrative, is particularly timely as the Vatican prepares to convene a real-life conclave soon. With the film focusing on the high-stakes deliberations among cardinals, the buzz around the upcoming event adds to its appeal.

A Unique Viewing Experience

Interestingly, the viewing experience for 'Conclave' faced a few hurdles; initially, viewers had to rent or buy the film on platforms like Amazon for prices ranging from $6 to $20. However, it became accessible for Prime members shortly after Francis' death, potentially boosting its viewer count even further.

Casualties of Change in Streaming Viewership

Notably, other pope-centric content, like Netflix's 'Call Me Francis,' hasn't experienced similar spikes—yet. This raises questions about audience engagement with Catholic-themed media amid such monumental events.

What's Next for the Church and the Film?

As Cardinals assemble for the funeral scheduled on Saturday at St. Peter's Basilica, excitement builds for the forthcoming conclave—the secretive process that will determine the next pope. With no outside communication permitted during voting, this age-old tradition adds a layer of intrigue to the viewing experience of 'Conclave'.

An Unfolding Story

As the world grapples with the loss of Pope Francis, the intersection of faith, media, and tradition creates a riveting narrative. The stronger-than-ever interest in films centered around the papacy highlights not just a cultural moment, but a global community mourning and seeking understanding during a pivotal time.