The Vatican has announced it will cut off all mobile phone signals within its territory starting from 3:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Tuesday, May 7, as part of strict security measures during the conclave to elect a new pope.
According to a statement from the Governorate of Vatican City State, the blackout is aimed at maintaining secrecy during the highly sensitive election process. However, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that the mobile phone signal shutdown will not affect St Peter’s Square, where thousands of Catholics are expected to gather.
The conclave, which begins on Wednesday, will bring together 133 cardinals from around the world inside the Sistine Chapel. The election will determine the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
During the conclave, cardinals are required to surrender all communication devices, including mobile phones, to preserve the integrity of the election. The Vatican says the phone signal will be restored after the new pope is officially announced.
The conclave is one of the most secretive and sacred processes in the Catholic Church, marked by tradition, silence, and prayer, as the Church awaits the rise of its new spiritual
