American actor Stanley Tucci has questioned the Church’s stance on celibacy ahead of his role as a Catholic priest in the upcoming film Conclave, which centres on the election of a new Pope.

Speaking to The Guardian, Tucci said: “Priests should be able to get married.”

For him, allowing priests to marry would “ground them in reality and enhance their spirituality”.

“That changes everything," he said. "And nuns. Why can’t you be devoted to God and love someone at the same time? I don’t understand that.”

The 64-year-old movie star argued that the ban on marriage was historically tied to inheritance concerns rather than devotion.

“The excuse was that priests needed to devote themselves to God. But really it was because when they died, everything went to their wives. It wasn’t about devotion but money,” Tucci said.

Reflecting on his role in Conclave, based on Robert Harris’s novel, Tucci acknowledged it follows familiar stereotypes but praised its depth:

“The film does follow a certain trope, as the book did. But it’s a fascinating one – and not an easy one.”

The film explores the conclave, the centuries-old Vatican tradition where cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope. The term comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key,” signifying their seclusion during the process.