After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, a conclave will soon begin to choose a new Pope. While the world is waiting for white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine chapel, technical security measures are used inside the Vatican, which are intended to protect the centuries -old procedure from modern espionage.
Digital isolation: How the conclave is isolated
The technical isolation of the cardinals during the conclusion is a central part of the pope choice. All modern means of communication, i.e. the use of television, radio devices, (mobile) telephone, tape carriers, microphones as well as film and photo apparatus, are strictly prohibitedDiocese of Augsburgcan be read.
This ban was continued to adapt to technological development over time and today also includes Internet, smartphones and all other digital communication devices.
- By moving into the Santa Marta guest house, the cardinals have to cancel any contact with the outside world. Television, newspaper, radio, telephone, internet - all of this is strictly prohibited. This digital quarantine is intended to ensure that the choice can take place without external influence.
- In the past, the cardinals had to stay in the Sistine chapel throughout the complaint. Since the new regulation by Pope John Paul II in 1996, they have lived in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guest house, but have remained excluded from any communication with the outside world.
- In the last pope election after Pope Benedict XVI's resignation. In 2013, microphones and communication devices were also searched (viaBusiness Insider).
A Faradayscher cage for the Holy Spirit
In addition to the digital quarantine, the Vatican also uses modern defense measures to prevent technical surveillance, such asWiredreported.
- The Sistine chapel, in which the choice takes place, is with aFaradayschen cageEquipped - an electrically conductive covering that blocks electromagnetic fields and thus prevents the sending and receiving of signals.
- In addition, interference transmitters are installed under the bottom of the chapel, which should prevent any wireless communication. ThisjammerCreate an electromagnetic noise on the same frequencies used by mobile phones and other communication devices, which means that they cannot build up stable connections.
The physical movement of the cardinals between the Santa Marta guest house and the Sistine chapel is also technically secured. The cardinals will commute back and forth with a small feeder bus, the window panes of which are not transparent.
This measure not only prevents visual observation from outside, but also prevents possible optical signals or laser listening methods, in which vibrations of window panes could be used for language reconstruction. The guest house itself is cordoned off during the conclusion, and the cardinals are accompanied on their way to the chapel.
- The technical security measures are supplemented by strict oaths and threats of punishment. Not only the cardinals themselves swear secrecy, but also "all security guards, doctors and cleaning staff have to take an oath beforehand", likeWeltexplained in an analysis from 2013.
- If one of the parties involved violates confidentiality, he threatens automatic excommunication - the exclusion from the Catholic Church. This regulation was made by Pope Benedict XVI. still tightened before his resignation.
The contrast could hardly be greater. While smartphones and cameras are aimed at the chimney outside on St. Peter's Square and the news is spread in real time via social media, the cardinals are trapped in a room that is shielded with the latest technology from this digital world.
