The Vatican announced on Monday that it will disable all mobile phone signals within its territory starting from 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) on May 7 as part of security and secrecy measures during the conclave to elect a new pope.
However, this signal blackout will not extend to St Peter’s Square.
According to the office of the presidency of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, “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 will only be restored once the new pope is officially elected and announced.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that St Peter’s Square — where thousands of worshippers are expected to assemble — will remain unaffected by the measure.
The conclave is set to begin on Wednesday inside the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals from around the world will gather to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. In keeping with tradition, the election process is conducted under strict confidentiality, and all participating cardinals are required to surrender their mobile phones before entering the sealed session.
What you should know
The Vatican will disable mobile phone signals inside its territory during the papal conclave to maintain secrecy, though St Peter’s Square will remain connected as the faithful await news of the new pope’s election.
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