Vatican City, May 6 – The Vatican has implemented extraordinary measures to ensure total secrecy and isolation as 133 Catholic cardinals prepare to enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis.
In line with centuries-old tradition, each participant in the conclave, including doctors, cooks, and security staff, has sworn an oath of “absolute and perpetual secrecy.” Violation of this oath could result in excommunication, Vatican officials said. To protect the integrity of the election and prevent external interference, Vatican authorities have swept the Sistine Chapel and nearby guesthouses for electronic surveillance devices and deployed jammers to block all phone and Wi-Fi signals.
“The Vatican takes the idea of isolation extremely seriously,” said John Allen, editor of Catholic news outlet Crux. “There are no televisions, no newspapers, not even open windows.” All cardinals must surrender mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches upon entering the conclave. Communication with the outside world is strictly prohibited, with only limited use of walkie-talkies permitted for emergencies.
Vatican police will enforce the rules while vetted personnel, including medical and catering staff, remain under strict instructions not to engage with the electors.
Despite the enforced silence, Rome has been abuzz with speculation. In the days leading up to the conclave, Italian media and international reporters have tracked cardinals at local restaurants and around St. Peter’s Basilica, seeking clues about possible alliances and front-runners.
One restaurant server near the Vatican told Reuters the cardinals became “completely quiet” whenever staff approached their tables.
Although the Church maintains that the conclave is a spiritual decision guided by the Holy Spirit, outside influence remains a concern. Advocacy groups and media outlets have attempted to sway opinion, including through the circulation of books and targeted criticism of leading candidates.
Among those reportedly drawing attention is Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, praised by conservative circles for his outspoken views against abortion and same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, a viral video of Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” sparked mixed reactions.
Still, insiders say the diversity and unfamiliarity among the cardinal electors—many appointed by Pope Francis—make coordinated lobbying difficult.
“Fifty or sixty percent of them don’t even know one another,” said Ines San Martin of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the U.S. “It’s very hard even to pick your cardinals to begin with.”
By Wednesday morning, the electors will be fully secluded inside the Vatican. Observers expect personal impressions and spiritual reflection—rather than political maneuvering—to guide the process.
“The discussions happening now among cardinals are key,” said San Martin. “You never know just how inspiring one of them might be.” The conclave will continue in complete secrecy until a new pope is chosen, with the traditional white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signaling the decision to the world.
