All cell phone signs will be disabled at the Vatican on Wednesday (7), shortly before the beginning of the conclave to elect the next Pope, the Italian state media said.
The Vatican also plans to use signal blockers around the Sistine chapel to prevent “electronic surveillance” or communication with people outside the conclave, the Italian news agency Ansa reported.
The cardinals will have that Deliver your cell phones and all electronic devices From this Tuesday (6) and will only take them back after the end of the election, said a Vatican spokesman.
The phone signal will be cut at 15h at local time (10am from Brasilia), this Wednesday, an hour and a half before the cardinals moved to the Sistine Chapel to start the conclave, according to the state broadcaster Rai.
The blockade of the signal will not affect St. Peter’s Square, where the public usually meets, according to the spokesman.
Confined cardinals for conclave
All 133 cardinals who will vote to elect Francis’ successor already arrived in Rome, confirmed the Vatican on Monday (5).
For centuries, the leader of the Catholic Church has been chosen at a highly secret meeting known as “Conclave”, which means “key” in Latin – a reference to the way cardinals used to get stuck until a new pope was chosen.
Clerics will be confined to the Sistine Chapel and isolated from the outside world from Wednesday. All participating cardinals will be in Complete isolation and will make a vote of “absolute and perpetual confidentiality” .
The Sistine Chapel will be fully closed during the conclave to ensure full confidentiality. In 2013, during the election that elected Francisco, signal blockers were also installed to prevent calls, text messages or internet access.
Even electricians, plumbers, and ascenser who will keep the Vatican working during the conclave will commit to maintaining secret.
“Everyone will take a full time service, spending the night at the Vatican, without contact with their families,” according to a statement from the Governorate of the State of the Vatican City.
Safety reinforced in São Pedro Square
Safety was reinforced throughout St. Peter’s Square, with control posts in the entrances and the installation of metal detectors and anti -stream systems in the public space, according to the Italian police.
The authorities also reported that the Pilgrim Route will not change will remain, allowing the public to pass through the Holy Gate of St. Peter’s Basilica.
*Kathleen thin, from CNN, contributed to this report
This content was originally published in Conclave begins tomorrow; Cellular signal will be blocked at the Vatican on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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