If you thought “men of God” didnt’ carry cell phones, think again. LIke the rest of us, cardinals rely on their devices to stay connected. But that digital lifeline to the outside world is about to be cut.
At 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, May 7, the Vatican will use military-grade jamming to shut down phone signals inside the Sistine Chapel, effectively silencing the College of Cardinals and the hundreds of support staff working behind the scenes.
The blackout marks the start of the conclave — the ancient, secretive process where cardinals elect a new pope to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Rule started in 13th century
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The rule barring outside contact during the conclave was established in the 13th century, after a deadlocked papal election dragged on for nearly three years.
The conclave follows strict rules, some dating back hundreds of years. One of the most important is no contact with the outside world. That means no newspapers, no radio, no TV — and of course, no phones. The idea is to shield the cardinals from any external pressure or influence while they deliberate.
The rule might feel extreme in 2025, but it’s not new. It was put in place after a particularly long conclave in the 13th century, which dragged on for nearly three years. Vatican officials realized that isolation was necessary to keep the process focused and free from interference.
Centuries later, that tradition of isolation continues as the Church prepares to elect Pope Francis’ successor.
First an oath of silence
The transition to the conclave began in earnest after Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025. Since then, the College of Cardinals — 255 in total — has been in mourning, attending Mass, honoring the late pope’s legacy and discussing the hopes and concerns of Catholics around the world.
This past Monday, May 5, in anticipation of the conclave, both cardinals and their Vatican aides took an oath of absolute secrecy to help keep outside influence and information from entering or exiting the Vatican. The ceremony shows the Church’s commitment to keeping the papal election process confidential and making sure that all support staff respect the rules of the conclave.
Only one way to regain phone access
Only 135 cardinals are allowed to vote, selected based on age and seniority and representing a wide range of cultures and regions. Wearing their traditional robes and red square hats, they’ll enter the Sistine Chapel and begin the voting process. A two-thirds majority is required to elect the next pope.
Once the phones go dark on Wednesday, the cardinals won’t turn them back on until the white smoke rises and a new pope is chosen. When they do, they’ll reenter a connected world — and a backlog of messages to catch up on.