Vatican Enforces Secrecy as Cardinal Staff Prepare for 2025 Papal Conclave

The upcoming papal conclave is governed by strict secrecy, with both cardinal electors and their support staff—such as cleaners, cooks, and medical personnel—swearing oaths of confidentiality under penalty of automatic excommunication. All participants are sequestered within Vatican City, surrendering personal devices and cutting off all external communication, a measure enforced by Church law and bolstered by technical safeguards like phone signal jammers. Cardinals will reside in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta and vote up to four times daily until a two-thirds majority is reached, signaling a new pope through the traditional smoke system. Security around the Vatican is heightened, with checkpoints and additional measures to ensure the conclave's integrity and prevent unauthorized access or influence. The process, rooted in ritual and prayer, is intended to maintain the solemnity and independence of the papal election. These protocols underscore the Vatican's commitment to preserving the sanctity and confidentiality of choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church.