Who plays Benitez in Conclave​?

Last Modified Feb 25, 2025 06:51 EST
Who plays Benitez in Conclave​?
Carlos Diehz (Source: Instagram)


Conclave is a political thriller film directed by Edward Berger and written by Peter Straughan. It is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. The film had a world premiere at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2024, and was released in the United States on 25 October 2024. The cast of the film includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Sergio Castellitto, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.


The film revolves around Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who organizes a conclave for the process of electing the new pope. In the process, he ended up uncovering hidden scandals and secrets about the leading candidates. The film received 8 Oscar nominations, 6 Golden Globe nominations, and 11 Critics' Choice Award nominations, among others. Among the cast, Cardinal Benitez is one of the important characters in the film. His character plays a crucial role in the unfolding events. Let’s take a closer look at Benitez’s character and the actor who plays him.


Who plays Benitez in Conclave?


Who plays Benitez in Conclave​?
Carlos Diehz (Source: Instagram)


Carlos Diehz plays the role of Cardinal Benitez in the film. He is a Mexican actor and architect, born in 1971 in Mexico City. In an interview with De Los in 2024, he talked about his acting and said, “I’ve always been inclined to the arts since I was a kid — drawing, clay modeling, all that — then, later on, when I realized the people I saw in the movies were performing, they were acting as the characters, I thought maybe I’d like to do that. But I was a very shy kid, a daydreamer. I decided to give acting a try in high school, but the kids in the theater were really, really flashy and outgoing, and it was just too much for me.”


Diehz worked as an architect for more than 30 years and moved to Vancouver, Canada, for work in 2009. He decided to pursue acting in 2020 and starred in two short films, The Vegan Vampire (2022) and It Gets Dark Too Early (2022). At the age of 53, he got his breakthrough role as Cardinal Benitez in the critically acclaimed film Conclave in 2024. In the interview with De Los, he talked about why he gave acting another chance in his life and said, “Probably four or five years ago, my wife and I became empty nesters, and I wanted to learn to do something new. I didn’t have the time or the money to go back to college, so it needed to be something I could learn on my own. I thought about acting again and decided to give it a go.”


Also read: Cast of Conclave


Who is Benitez in Conclave?


Who plays Benitez in Conclave​?
Cardinal Benitez (Source: Instagram)


Cardinal Benitez of Kabul is one of the important characters in the film. He was one of the leading candidates in the pope election. Benitez appeared at the Vatican at the last minute, just as the conclave was ready to vote for the next pope. He becomes friends with Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, but the rest of the conclave is more cautious around him. He is a reserved person and is secretive about his health. After his powerful speech, he became the top contender for the pope election.


He received the position of the pope after the final voting. Before he was announced as the next pope publicly, Cardinal Lawrence meets Benitez, who then confronts him and reveals his secret. Benitez reveals that he was an intersex individual, but he believed himself to be a male his entire life. He found out that he had a uterus after he met with an accident. He decided to resign, but the pope stopped him from leaving the priesthood. Benitez felt relieved after sharing his secret with Cardinal Lawrence.


In an interview with De Los, actor Carlos Diehz shared his experience of playing Cardinal Benítez and what he learned from the character. He said, “I think in life, we find ourselves in certain situations where you feel like you don’t belong. Maybe you face rejection, or harassment from other people. You might feel like something’s wrong with you, but you have to build up your character and find a way to love and accept yourself for who you are. Benítez has achieved that. That’s what gives him the confidence to stand beside these other cardinals and stay loyal to who he is, but also to confront everyone who is missing the point in this exercise of picking the next pope, everyone who’s forgotten the requirements of the robes they’re wearing. That’s the beauty of the character, is his assurance that when he’s on the right path, he won’t back down.”


Also read: What is Conclave about​?

FAQs about Conclave

A. Carlos Diehz plays Benitez in Conclave.

A. Edward Berger is the director of Conclave.

A. Conclave received 8 Oscar nominations.

Related Stories

"She'd be a part of the family": The Housemaid first trailer sees Amanda Seyfried facing off Sydney Sweeney in a nerve-wracking thriller "She'd be a part of the family": The Housemaid first trailer sees Amanda Seyfried facing off Sydney Sweeney in a nerve-wracking thriller
"She'd be a part of the family": The Housemaid first trailer sees Amanda Seyfried facing off Sydney Sweeney in a nerve-wracking thriller
1d
"Coolest man on planet earth" Paul Mescal opens up on playing Paul McCartney in the Beatles biopic "Coolest man on planet earth" Paul Mescal opens up on playing Paul McCartney in the Beatles biopic
"Coolest man on planet earth" Paul Mescal opens up on playing Paul McCartney in the Beatles biopic
2d
David Puttnam will be receiving the inaugural Industry lifetime achievement award at this year's Rome Film Festival David Puttnam will be receiving the inaugural Industry lifetime achievement award at this year's Rome Film Festival
David Puttnam will be receiving the inaugural Industry lifetime achievement award at this year's Rome Film Festival
2d
Menendez Brothers reportedly denied new trial after judge finds evidence lacking Menendez Brothers reportedly denied new trial after judge finds evidence lacking
Menendez Brothers reportedly denied new trial after judge finds evidence lacking
22h
Why did the Emmys start with Stephen Colbert presenting the first award? Producers reveal the answers Why did the Emmys start with Stephen Colbert presenting the first award? Producers reveal the answers
Why did the Emmys start with Stephen Colbert presenting the first award? Producers reveal the answers
1d
From Scarlett Johansson to Leonardo Di Caprio: Celebrities pay tributes to late legend Robert Redford as he dies at 89 From Scarlett Johansson to Leonardo Di Caprio: Celebrities pay tributes to late legend Robert Redford as he dies at 89
From Scarlett Johansson to Leonardo Di Caprio: Celebrities pay tributes to late legend Robert Redford as he dies at 89
23h
Who is Jeff Hiller married to? All about the actor as he beats Harrison Ford for Emmys' Best Comedy Supporting Actor Who is Jeff Hiller married to? All about the actor as he beats Harrison Ford for Emmys' Best Comedy Supporting Actor
Who is Jeff Hiller married to? All about the actor as he beats Harrison Ford for Emmys' Best Comedy Supporting Actor
2d
"LOOK HOW SHE ATE THAT": Netizens react to Hannah Einbinder's Emmy acceptance speech "LOOK HOW SHE ATE THAT": Netizens react to Hannah Einbinder's Emmy acceptance speech
"LOOK HOW SHE ATE THAT": Netizens react to Hannah Einbinder's Emmy acceptance speech
2d
Angelina Jolie’s comedy adaptation Anxious People expands with new additions: Find out who Angelina Jolie’s comedy adaptation Anxious People expands with new additions: Find out who
Angelina Jolie’s comedy adaptation Anxious People expands with new additions: Find out who
1d
What did Nate Bargatze say? Big Bang theory cocreator Bill Prady rips into Emmy’s host monologue What did Nate Bargatze say? Big Bang theory cocreator Bill Prady rips into Emmy’s host monologue
What did Nate Bargatze say? Big Bang theory cocreator Bill Prady rips into Emmy’s host monologue
2d