Vatican to Disable Cell Signals During Papal Conclave to Ensure Secrecy

The Vatican has announced that all cell phone signals for cardinals involved in the election of a new pope will be disabled starting Wednesday, as part of strict measures to preserve the secrecy of the conclave.

According to a Vatican spokesperson, the 133 cardinals participating in the papal election will surrender their mobile phones and electronic devices on Tuesday. These will only be returned after the conclave concludes.

Italian news agency ANSA reported that signal jammers will also be deployed around the Sistine Chapel to block any external communication or surveillance during the process. Italian state broadcaster RAI confirmed that all mobile signals will be cut off at 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday—90 minutes before the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to begin voting.

All electors have already arrived in Rome, the Vatican confirmed Monday.

Strict Conclave Protocols

It is longstanding tradition that cardinals gather inside the Sistine Chapel without any access to the outside world when electing a new pontiff. The Vatican enforces total isolation, requiring participants to swear an oath of “absolute and perpetual secrecy.”

Messages from within the chapel are communicated through smoke signals via a chimney installed on the roof. Black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote; white smoke signals the successful election of a new pope.

The term “conclave” comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with key,” a reference to the centuries-old practice of locking the cardinals in until they reach a decision.

Public Access Unaffected

While communication within the conclave will be completely cut off, Vatican officials clarified that signal jamming will not affect St. Peter’s Square, where crowds typically gather to await news of a new pope.

Background: Papal Transition

The papal conclave follows the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. His Requiem Mass was held on April 26, five days after his passing, and he was laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The conclave to elect his successor is scheduled to begin on May 7.