Robert Langdon is a solitary professor of religious iconography and art history at Harvard University. He enjoys a quiet academic life but maintains the physical fitness of a swimmer. His deep knowledge of symbology draws him into a high-stakes crisis when an ancient symbol appears at a modern murder scene.

Vittoria is a brilliant bio-entanglement physicist at CERN and the adopted daughter of Leonardo Vetra. She is deeply involved in her father's groundbreaking antimatter research. Intelligent, graceful, and deeply passionate about her work, she balances scientific rigor with an openness to spiritual concepts.

Carlo Ventresca serves as the Camerlengo, the chamberlain temporarily running the Catholic Church between the death of the previous Pope and the election of the new one. He is deeply pious, charismatic, and resolute in his faith. Orphaned at a young age and taken in by the clergy, he views his service to God as his absolute duty.

Maximilian Kohler is the pragmatic and intimidating director of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). A paraplegic who requires constant medical supervision, he operates with cold logic and harbors a deep disdain for religion. He prioritizes protecting CERN's reputation above all else following the murder in his facility.

The Hassassin is a highly lethal, shadowy killer claiming to work on behalf of the ancient Illuminati brotherhood. Harboring deep-seated resentment toward the Catholic Church for historical grievances during the Crusades, he delights in violence and views himself as an avenging warrior. He exhibits intense cruelty and misogyny in his actions.

Leonardo Vetra is an open-minded Catholic priest and theoretical physicist at CERN. He dedicated his life to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and religious faith, hoping to prove that creationism and physics can coexist. His brutal murder initiates the crisis that threatens both CERN and the Vatican.

Cardinal Mortati is a senior clergyman tasked with coordinating the papal conclave to elect the next Pope. He is a traditional, observant, and prudent man who values order and adherence to Catholic rituals. He struggles to manage the growing unease among the cardinals when the ceremony is delayed.

Commander Olivetti is the strict, militaristic head of the Swiss Guard, responsible for the safety of Vatican City. He is initially skeptical of Vittoria and Langdon's claims about antimatter, prioritizing the smooth operation of the conclave. He adheres strictly to protocol and demands hard evidence before taking action.

Captain Elias Rocher is the capable second-in-command of the Swiss Guard. Tasked with coordinating the physical search for the missing antimatter canister within the Vatican, he balances the urgency of the threat with the need to maintain order during the highly sensitive conclave.

Gunther Glick is an ambitious but sensationalist BBC journalist assigned to cover the papal conclave. Desperate for a career-defining story, he eagerly pursues anonymous tips and dramatic rumors, prioritizing exclusivity and excitement over cautious reporting.

Chinita Macri is a pragmatic camera operator for the BBC. She balances her professional duty to capture breaking news with a healthy skepticism of her reporter's sensationalist tendencies, often serving as the more grounded half of their media team.

Lieutenant Chartrand is a young, relatively inexperienced member of the Swiss Guard. As a rookie, he feels the immense pressure of the crisis but maintains a deep reverence for the Church and its leaders, approaching his duties with earnest dedication.

Sylvie Baudeloque is Maximilian Kohler's personal secretary at CERN. She is highly attentive to her boss's strict medical schedule and balances her secular workplace environment with her personal Catholic faith.

Cardinal Baggia from Italy is the principal favorite to become the next Pope. He is a deeply pious, calm, and forgiving man who maintains his faith and composure even when subjected to terrifying circumstances by a hostile captor.

The Late Pope is the recently deceased head of the Catholic Church whose sudden death triggered the current papal conclave. Prior to his papacy, he served as a bishop and adopted a young orphan, shaping the future of the Church through his progressive but secretive actions.