Vatican to cut phone signal during conclave

The Vatican announced on Monday that it will cut off mobile phone signals within its territory during the conclave to elect a new pope, though the restriction will not apply to St. Peter’s Square.

According to a statement from the office of the presidency of the Governorate of Vatican City State, “Beginning at 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) on May 7, all telecommunications signals for mobile phones within Vatican City will be deactivated.” The statement added that the signal will be restored once the new pope is elected and publicly announced.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified that the blackout will not extend to St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of faithful are expected to gather in anticipation of the announcement of Pope Francis’s successor. Pope Francis passed away on April 21.

On Wednesday, 133 cardinals from around the world will convene in the Sistine Chapel to begin the voting process. The conclave is conducted in strict secrecy, and the cardinals must leave their mobile devices behind before entering, Bruni added.