As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, the Vatican has announced stringent measures to ensure the secrecy of the papal conclave. Starting at 3:00 p.m. local time on May 7, all mobile phone signals within Vatican City will be deactivated. This blackout aims to prevent any form of external communication during the highly confidential proceedings of the conclave.
The conclave, held in the Sistine Chapel, involves 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 from around the world. To maintain the integrity of the election process, the Vatican has implemented several high-tech security measures. These include the installation of signal jammers, the application of privacy films on windows to thwart drone surveillance, and the construction of a new elevated floor in the chapel to conceal electronic and sound wiring.
Cardinals participating in the conclave are required to surrender all electronic devices, including mobile phones, which will remain at their residence in Santa Marta. Additionally, approximately 100 Vatican support staff, such as cleaners, cooks, and medical personnel, have taken an oath of secrecy under the threat of automatic excommunication, reinforcing the commitment to confidentiality during the conclave.
The conclave’s voting process is steeped in tradition. Cardinals cast their votes up to four times daily, with the results signaled to the public through smoke emitted from a chimney installed atop the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke announces the successful election of a new pope.
