Voting for a new pope is no joke.
Before Pope Leo XIV (formerly Robert Francis Prevost) was named the successor of the late Pope Francis at the latest conclave, he—along with more than one hundred other Catholic cardinals—had to adhere to strict rules during the super secretive affair.
In fact, all cardinals have to take a solemn oath to protect the secrecy of the conclave under the penalty of “automatic” excommunication ahead of sequestering for the election, according to the Universi Dominici Gregis, one of the documents used to regulate the papal election.
And once the doors of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel are sealed, with the master of ceremonies declaring “extra omnes” (“everybody out”) to usher those not taking part in the vote off the premise, all forms of communication with the outside world are forbidden.
That means cardinals are “specifically prohibited” access to internet, social media, TV, telephones, radios, newspapers and faxes, per the U.D.G.
