‘Michelangelo meets James Bond’: Sistine Chapel transforms into secure election venue
Vatican technicians are working intensively to secure what will soon become perhaps the world’s most beautiful bunker, ensuring complete confidentiality for one of Catholicism’s most sacred traditions.
On Wednesday afternoon, approximately 133 cardinals under the age of 80 will enter the Sistine Chapel, with its magnificent Renaissance frescoes, to begin the secret conclave that will determine who becomes the next Catholic pope.
Elaborate security measures protect ancient tradition
The cardinals will walk across a newly installed elevated floor designed to create a seamless platform with the altar base, which stands several steps higher than the rest of the chapel.
What lies beneath this temporary floor remains somewhat mysterious. Beyond the necessary wiring for electricity and sound systems, Vatican officials have provided conflicting information about additional security features. These may include signal-jamming devices, either under the floor or near the upper windows of the 68-foot-high chapel.
“A protective envelope will be created around the cardinals at all times,” explained one source familiar with security procedures. “If they do decide to walk in the gardens or take a smoke outside, no one will be able to get close to them.”
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High-tech defenses against modern intrusions
Other countermeasures reportedly include special window film to block drone cameras and tiles designed to shield against cell phone signals—devices that are already prohibited during the conclave.
During the 2013 conclave, reports widely circulated about the installation of a Faraday cage—technology that enhances communications security by blocking electromagnetic fields.
On Monday, the Vatican City governor’s office issued a brief notice to “Dear Clients” announcing that cell phone towers throughout the 108-acre sovereign state will be deactivated Wednesday at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) and remain offline until after the announcement of the new pope’s selection.
Since Vatican City is entirely surrounded by Rome, it remains unclear whether any measures will be taken to block connections to phone towers just beyond its walls.
Traditional process meets modern security concerns
The cardinals will vote in the chapel up to four times daily. Vatican workers recently installed the traditional chimney that will signal the election outcome to the waiting world—black smoke indicating no decision, white smoke announcing the selection of the 267th pope.
Cardinals will be housed in the Santa Marta residence, a hotel with approximately 130 rooms, and an adjacent older residence. The main facility was cleared of guests and long-term residents last week to allow security personnel to conduct electronic sweeps.
A recent guest, speaking anonymously, reported that the building’s main entrance has been closed, with a sign directing cardinals to use a side entrance. Wi-Fi signals within the residence were noticeably weaker than normal on Monday.
Another source, a former Vatican official, indicated that the city-state maintains its drone detection systems and receives regular assistance from Italian authorities.
Vatican gendarmes and plainclothes Swiss Guards will escort buses transporting cardinals between their residence and the chapel. Cardinals may also choose to walk the short distance, following a route behind St. Peter’s Basilica.
All supporting staff—including priests, cooks, cleaners, drivers, and other attendants—have already sworn “to observe absolute and perpetual secrecy” regarding anything they might witness or hear. The consequence for breaking this lifelong vow is automatic excommunication from the Church.
