As the Catholic Church approaches a historic time, the Vatican will impose a total mobile signal blackout on Wednesday afternoon, just before the secretive conclave to choose the new pope. The Vatican will send special signal jammers surrounding the Sistine Chapel to guarantee absolute secrecy for the extremely confidential proceedings, as reported by CNN, quoting Italian media, such as ANSA.
Conclave Security Tightens with Jammers in Vatican
All cellular signals should be discontinued by 3 PM local time on Wednesday, about 90 minutes before the 133 cardinals enter the chapel to cast their votes. These steps aim to cut off any type of digital communication or monitoring, keeping the integrity of the papal election process intact.
According to Italian news provider RAI, the cardinals have already descended upon Rome and will have to give up all electronic devices by Tuesday night. These are not returned until the new pope is elected. From Wednesday onwards, the cardinals will be in complete isolation within the Sistine Chapel and will have to pledge an oath of “absolute and perpetual secrecy.”
The conclave occurs only weeks after Pope Francis’s death on April 21 and the April 26 funeral mass in which thousands thronged St Peter’s Square. His body was then moved to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, a cathedral often visited by the late pontiff in his 12-year tenure.
Heavy Surveillance and Traditions
Although the signal blackout will not cover St Peter’s Square, the Vatican has strengthened its security. Checkpoints, metal detectors, and drone-blocking systems are in place, says Corriere della Sera. Furthermore, auxiliary staff like maintenance personnel and lift operators have also been made to swear an oath of silence.
“They all take an oath and will be in full-time service, staying overnight in the Vatican, without having contact with their families,” said a spokesman of the Vatican City State Governorate.
This follows the precedent of 2013, when similar security measures were implemented for the conclave that elected Pope Francis. The conclave has for centuries been held under strict secrecy in order to maintain the integrity of the papal election.
