Plugging leaks as the Papal conclave confers
By Colin Lecher Posted 03.11.2013 at 2:24 pm 5 Comments

Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel Clayton Tang/Wikimedia Commons

Back in 2005, before it was announced that Joseph Ratzinger would be pope, a leak helped the German media break the story. The conclave, the group of cardinals that elects the pope, will soon make another decision, and they don't want a repeat of 2005. The answer? Bug-proof any areas where the cardinals are working, including the Sistine Chapel.

To do that, Vatican officials will be installing a Faraday cage that can block signals, while also monitoring and potentially even searching electors. The Synod Hall, where early meetings happen, has already had its wireless network disabled to ensure zero media contact. Officials are also working to remove their own bugs, installed in response to the 2012 "Vatileaks" document leak. Television, radio, and other news sources are banned unless absolutely necessary.

So, yes, this sounds more than a little Big Brother-ish, especially when papal police have been given broader powers in response to the Vatileaks scandal. Everyone preparing the area where the voting will take place has even been literally sworn to secrecy, under penalty of excommunication. But people might be looking for the scoop again, so we'll see if this can plug the Vatican tight.

[Vatican Insider]

5 Comments

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AnyIcon
03/11/13 at 3:02 pm

LoL, when I first read the caption, I thought some kind of termite or bug was eating the artwork and a high tech. solution was being used to resolve it... he he.... snort.

But as far as keeping the voting private, I see this as a good thing.

In the rest of the world politics and voting the voting is often rigged or screwed up.

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starfire42
03/11/13 at 4:12 pm

Oh, this voting will be just as rigged and screwed up as any other election, the secrecy just means nobody will know how screwed up it is.

For all we know, the voting process could involve a massive drugfest to encourage divine inspiration. It's highly unlikely, but not impossible or even inconceivable.

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ford2go
03/12/13 at 2:22 am

Big brotherish? They're electing a religious leader, and are under no obligation to make the process public.

Why anybody wants to get the scoop is pretty much beyond me. If anything this reflects media gone mad.

I also understand that there is a significant amount of wagering on the outcome. Good grief!

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AnyIcon
03/12/13 at 7:50 am

I elect we all eventually die and in that moment all our questions will be answered.

No worries!

Thank you GOD for this day!

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bgdavison
03/12/13 at 3:13 pm

Popsci: "Whaaahuhwhaaaa! we the media can't sell soap from this PRIVATE meeting!"



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