The Vatican announced on Monday that it will cut mobile phone signals within its territory starting Tuesday afternoon. This measure, aimed at preserving the secrecy of the papal election, will not extend to the adjacent St Peter’s Square, where thousands of faithful are expected to gather in vigil.
The announcement, made by the office of the presidency of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, stated that “starting from 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) on May 7, all the transmission systems of the telecommunications signal for mobile telephones present in the territory of the Vatican City State… will be deactivated.” The signal shutdown will remain in place until after the official announcement of the newly elected pope.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that this blackout will not affect St Peter’s Square, the symbolic and spiritual heart of the Catholic Church. “The deactivation will not cover St Peter’s Square,” he told reporters, ensuring that the large crowds expected to congregate outside St Peter’s Basilica will still be able to use their mobile devices to follow developments.
The conclave, set to begin Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel, will bring together 133 cardinals from across the globe. They will participate in the solemn and secretive process to select a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
Strict rules govern the conclave proceedings, and cardinals will be required to leave behind all mobile phones and communication devices as they enter the sealed-off area. The move to cut off all telecommunication signals within the Vatican is a further step to prevent any leaks or outside influence during the voting process.
As the world watches and prays, the faithful will look for the traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney the age-old signal that a new pontiff has been chosen. Until then, silence and secrecy will reign within the Vatican walls.
