Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746583843049lachica 1.PNG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>As the world turns its attention to the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon for the opening of the papal conclave, one Filipino in Rome looked back on his experience of portraying an Asian cardinal in the 2024 <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/2/24/vatican-thriller-conclave-wins-top-prize-in-sag-awards-upset-1335">award-winning</a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/4/27/here-are-some-films-to-watch-as-the-conclave-draws-near-1918"> film &quot;Conclave.&quot;</a></p><p>Ariel Lachica, an overseas Filipino worker from Capiz, said his participation in the film had been a chance to glimpse the weight of history and faith. His portrayal came with intense preparation, and the scenes were guided by experts familiar with actual Vatican protocols. </p><p>“Magandang experience sa akin ‘yun dahil kumbaga very rare, one-of-a-kind film na kung saan nagkataon ngayon na nakakaroon tayo ng conclave,” said Lachica, 57.</p><p>“Katulad ng ginagawa nila ngayon, ganoon din ang ginawa namin sa film. Kung napapanood ninyo, that’s very the same. Kasi nga, habang nagshu-shooting, may nagga-guide sa amin na dati ring kasama sa conclave sa Vatican. Kaya walang eksena na basta lang inimbento,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/4/23/forget-the-film-vatican-is-preparing-for-the-real-conclave-0647">Forget the film: Vatican is preparing for the real &#x27;Conclave&#x27;</a></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174658386504550ed32d9011f4896503ce558b6cdfeb4.JPEG" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Lachica said his role in the movie deepened his own spirituality and appreciation for the Church.</p><p>“[Bilang] relihiyoso, malaking impact sa akin &#x27;yun. Nadagdagan talaga ‘yung faith ko, paniniwala ko. Kasi hindi lang basta karakter ang pinag-uusapan doon. You know, cardinal ka as a role—imagine, napakabigat noon,” he said.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/2/-conclave-review-a-thrilling-insider-s-view-on-choosing-the-new-pope-1439">&#x27;Conclave&#x27; review: A thrilling insider&#x27;s view on choosing the new Pope</a></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17465838756098eb38880e2ca5d3e90b9688d748d6585.JPEG" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Pope Francis died on April 21, triggering a call for the 133 cardinal electors to gather in the Sistine Chapel to select the new leader of the world&#x27;s 1.4 billion Catholics.</p><p>With representatives from almost 70 countries across five continents, this conclave is the largest and the most international ever.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/5/catholic-churchs-direction-in-the-balance-as-conclave-looms-1328" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catholic Church&#x27;s direction in the balance as conclave looms</a></div><p>Cardinals from around the globe moved into a Vatican guest house on Tuesday ahead of the conclave to choose Pope Francis&#x27;s successor.</p><p>Senior prelates were seen moving wheeled suitcases to the Vatican&#x27;s Santa Marta guesthouse, with Britain&#x27;s Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe calling out &quot;bye! bye!&quot; to well-wishers as they prepared for an uncertain period of prayer and politics.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/6/cardinals-to-move-into-vatican-on-eve-of-conclave-1709" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cardinals to move into Vatican on eve of conclave</a></div><p>Voting will begin Wednesday after the chapel is placed under a news blackout under pain of excommunication and will continue until one of the cardinals has won two-thirds support in a secret ballot. In the 20th and 21st centuries this has taken between two and five days.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/6/papal-conclave-a-tradition-born-of-crisis-1043" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Papal conclave: A tradition born of crisis</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong> <iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ys7XUYR1XDw" title="Profile of Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle ahead of Conclave | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cWKiFRGZDFY" title="Cardinal Tagle picked to assist preparations for conclave | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>As the world turns its attention to the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon for the opening of the papal conclave, one Filipino in Rome looked back on his experience of portraying an Asian cardinal in the 2024 <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/2/24/vatican-thriller-conclave-wins-top-prize-in-sag-awards-upset-1335">award-winning</a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/4/27/here-are-some-films-to-watch-as-the-conclave-draws-near-1918"> film "Conclave."</a></p>

As the world turns its attention to the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon for the opening of the papal conclave, one Filipino in Rome looked back on his experience of portraying an Asian cardinal in the 2024 award-winning film "Conclave."

Meet the Filipino who portrayed a cardinal in movie 'Conclave'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Movies & Series

Meet the Filipino who portrayed a cardinal in movie 'Conclave'

ABS-CBN News,

Mye Mulintapang

Published May 07, 2025 10:11 AM PHT

|

Updated May 07, 2025 10:27 AM PHT

Read More:

Ariel Lachica

Asian Cardinal

Conclave film

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.