SECRECY AND SECURITY
The word conclave comes from the Latin for “with key”, a reference to the lockdown imposed on cardinals during the conclave.
The deliberations of a conclave are held in strictest secrecy on pain of instant excommunication. Smartphones and any Internet access are off-limits and cardinals cannot read newspapers, listen to the radio or watch TV.
The cardinals stay in the Santa Marta residence at the Vatican until they elect a new pope.
Any contact with the outside world is banned, unless for “grave and urgent reasons”, which need to be confirmed by a panel of four peers.
Only cardinal electors are allowed to be present during the actual voting, although others including doctors, clerical assistants and housekeeping staff are allowed to enter at different times.
