Vatican technicians are securing what will from today become probably the most beautiful bunker in the world, to ensure that whatever happens in the Sistine Chapel stays there.
This afternoon, about 133 cardinals under the age of 80 will enter a chapel decorated with frescoes by a Renaissance master to begin a secret conclave to elect the next head of the Catholic Church.
They will walk on the newly laid floor, raised to create a flat platform at the height of the altar, which is otherwise raised a few steps above the rest of the chapel.
What exactly is under that temporary floor, apart from electrical and sound installations, depends on which Vatican official you ask, writes Reuters.
This may or may not be where the jamming devices are located. These devices may also be located near the upper windows of the chapel, which are about 20 meters high.
Officials have sometimes given contradictory statements, Reuters writes, adding that the details are a secret, perhaps even to themselves. The only thing everyone agrees on is that the devices exist.
Additional measures to prevent eavesdropping and leaking information reportedly include special window films that block drone cameras, as well as panels that neutralize mobile phone signals, which are certainly prohibited.
At the previous conclave in 2013, a Faraday cage was reportedly installed, which can improve the security of communications by shielding against electromagnetic fields.
The Vatican City Governor's office sent a terse statement to "esteemed clients" on Monday, informing them that mobile base stations in the world's smallest state will be deactivated on Wednesday at 15 p.m. and will remain off until the name of the new pope is announced.
However, given that the city-state is surrounded by Rome, it remains unclear whether additional measures will be taken to block connections to mobile phone base stations just outside the Vatican walls.
Cardinals will be able to vote up to four times a day. Vatican workers installed a chimney on the chapel roof last week. Black smoke will be emitted from it to indicate that a decision has not yet been made, while white smoke will indicate that the 267th pope has been elected.
The Cardinals will be housed in the Santa Marta Residence, a hotel with about 130 rooms, as well as in a nearby older residence.
The main building of Santa Marta was emptied of guests and permanent residents last week so that security services could conduct an electronic search.
The main entrance is closed, and a sign has been posted directing cardinals to use the side entrance on the left, according to one recent guest who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The source said that the Wi-Fi signal inside the building was significantly weaker than usual on Monday.
Another source, a former Vatican official, said the Vatican has its own drone detection system and regularly receives assistance from Italy.
The Vatican Gendarmerie and plainclothes Swiss Guards will provide buses to transport the cardinals between the chapel and the residence. If they wish, the prelates will be able to walk the short distance, visiting the back of St. Peter's Basilica.
"A protective zone will be created around the cardinals at all times," said a source familiar with security procedures. "If they want to walk in the gardens or light a cigarette outside, no one will be able to get close to them."
Support staff, including priests, cooks, cleaners, drivers and other assistants, have already taken an oath to “respect absolute and permanent secrecy” about anything they see or hear.
The punishment for violating this secret, which lasts for the rest of one's life, is automatic excommunication from the church.
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