A communications blackout will be imposed on the cardinals gathering for the papal election conclave that follows the death of Pope Francis on 21 April. An announcement by the office of the presidency of the Governorate of the Vatican City State made clear that from 3 pm on 7 May 2025, “all the transmission systems of the telecommunications signal for mobile telephones present in the territory of the Vatican City State … will be deactivated.”
That means the 133 cardinals who have travelled to Rome from various countries to meet in secrecy in the Sistine Chapel will have no signal or means of communication with the outside world until a decision on the next leader of the Catholic church has been made. “The signal will be restored after the announcement of the election of the supreme pontiff,” the Vatican said in a statement.
Old methods and new
The cardinals have handed in their mobiles and, wearing red robes and gold and white mitred hats, sworn an oath of “absolute and perpetual secrecy.” However, more scientific methods are also being applied to the issue of confidentiality. To remove all temptation or attempts at surveillance during the conclave, signal jamming devices are being deployed. A human shield also protects the building in the form of thousands of police and Swiss Guards.
When the decision on the new Pope has been reached, a white smoke signal will be issued from the chapel’s chimney. Black smoke signifies that no successor has yet been agreed and until the time the choice is made, the conclave – which means “with key” in Latin, indicating the cardinals are locked in – must continue.
White smoke! Habemus Papam! On March 13, 2013, history was made. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. This is how the world met Pope Francis. 12 years later, we are still praying for him. pic.twitter.com/3Kwab2UVoO
— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) March 13, 2025
Wider restrictions
It is not only the Cardinals who are affected by the blackout. The staff who service and maintain the buildings are also obliged to take a vow of secrecy and are “in full-time service, staying overnight in the Vatican, without having contact with their families,” the State Governorate said.
What’s more, the area around the Vatican will be under strict a security regime during that time. Anti-drone systems, entry checkpoints, and metal detectors are among the measures and tools being brought into play by the Italian authorities.
However, the signal blocking will not extend beyond the cardinals’ immediate vicinity, so the crowds amassed in St Peter’s Square to pay their respects and bear witness to proceedings should still be able to use their mobile devices, a Vatican spokesperson explained.
