The story appears to mirror Signore e signori, buonanotte (1976), segment "Il santo soglio". In both movies, two powerful cardinals are tied for votes at a conclave, and a patsy is elected to break the tie. While in "Il santo soglio" the backroom deals and (often literal) backstabbings are the main focus, this movie leaves them implied.
French visa # 124.504.
Nanni Moretti: [diegetic music] The Swiss Guard covering for the absence of the Pope plays "Todo Cambia" by Mercedes Sosa on the PA system. The cardinals at the conclave pause to listen and dance along to it. At the same time, the fugitive Pope is listening to a street performer singing the same song.
Nanni Moretti: [sports] To stave off boredom, the psychoanalyst organizes and referees a volleyball tournament among the cardinals.