The pope's election is like a game of " The Traitors" (R. Harris)

Bestselling novelist Robert Harris believes that a conclave to select a new pope presents a dynamic similar to that of the hit television show "The Traitors".

The author of "Conclave", which was adapted into an Oscar-winning film last year, said the show in which "faithful" contestants try to identify the "traitors" among them was "the closest analogy I can find".

"Suddenly, everyone rallies around one person - you don’t see why, particularly, but it happens," he explains to BBC News ahead of the election to replace Pope Francis, which is due to start this week.

"And in a funny way, a similar dynamic operates in a conclave, which is why it often produces a surprise."

The writer explains that his book and the resulting film depict how the ancient secret ritual of the Sistine Chapel is a "rather brilliant device" for finding the right person to lead an organisation.

Only male cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to participate. The voting takes place in complete privacy. He continues: "Closing the door and saying you won’t come out until you get a result focuses the mind - and if you look back, the popes have been rather good."

(MaSi - Source: BBC news - Photo: © Unsplash)