Vatican goes high-tech to ensure conclave secrecy

[cbayer]

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/03/08/vatican-goes-high-tech-to-ensure-conclave-secrecy/

Alessandro Speciale | Mar 8, 2013


On Friday (March 8), the Vatican’s chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, confirmed that special jamming devices will be surround the Sistine Chapel and the Santa Marta guest residence where cardinals will be sequestered during the conclave. This will not only prevent electronic eavesdropping on the secret proceedings, but will also stop cardinals from communicating via telephones or computers with the outside world. Photo courtesy Shutterstock.com


VATICAN CITY (RNS) The secrecy and security measures that surround a papal election are designed to “make the conclave safe for the Holy Spirit,” as the saying goes.

But the high-tech defenses the Vatican is deploying for next week’s conclave are so impressive that it will be a miracle if even the Holy Spirit can slip in to the Sistine Chapel.

On Friday (March 8), the Vatican’s chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, confirmed that special jamming devices will be surround the Sistine Chapel and the Santa Marta guest residence where cardinals will be sequestered during the conclave.

This will not only prevent electronic eavesdropping on the secret proceedings, but will also stop cardinals from communicating via telephones or computers with the outside world.

more at link

[kairos12]

1. Maybe they could deploy some...

of that fancy technology to keep some their priests locked away as securely as their papal votes. Doubtful.

[longship]

2. There is a lot of humor ready to pounce on this story.

The Holy Spirit quip is one.

This seems to be a bit over the top, but I can imagine how the Vatican would want to keep things under wraps. I would still like to be a fly on the wall. It's compelling stuff and I imagine that news organizations would pay big bucks for the inside story.

[cbayer]

3. I would also like to be a fly on that wall.

I'm betting things get a little more than testy at times.

Got my fingers crossed for anything that looks like change, but in light of the overall group of choices, I am not very hopeful.

Still, it's the stuff of good novels and creative speculation.

Waiting on the white smoke!

[hrmjustin]

4. I am looking forward to hearing the St Andrew bells from St. Peter's when the white smoke comes.

They rang them when Benedict left Vatican City.

[Angry Dragon]

5. Perhaps one day the Roman Catholic Church will catch up to the rest of the world

[cbayer]

6. In terms of what? This program seems pretty up to date.

Though there are certainly other issues where they lag far behind.

[Angry Dragon]

7. God picked the first Pope .........

Now it has to be secret??

[cbayer]

10. Huh? Didn't Jesus reportedly pick the first pope?

I'm not sure what that has to do with secrecy, but that's been going on for a long time and it's clearly more of a political process than anything else, imo.

[Goblinmonger]

13. Um, Jesus IS God.

You didn't get the memo?

[Angry Dragon]

19. Isn't Jesus a god??

Over the years I have read articles from Catholic leaders stating that they are the TRUE path to god.
Any religion that states that and then has secrecy is hiding something dark and evil.
A TRUE religion would swing open their doors and let everyone see how their god works.

[EvilAL]

8. "keep the conclave safe for the holy spirit"

that's a keeper.. They scared the Holy Spirit might leave his facebook opened and get "hacked" or what?

[cbayer]

9. I know. That's the funniest line in the article.

The other funny one is the expressed fear that the cardinals may go into twitter withdrawal.

[EvilAL]

14. yeah, it's not like in the old days

when reporters would have to run to a phone booth...

[pinto]

11. Il Papileaks

[cbayer]

12. Would make a great reality show, wouldn't it?

[pinto]

15. Yeah. I suspect the intrigue, dealing and background drama tradition continues.

I think the speculation about a non-European is kind of neat. Hello?

[goldent]

16. They block mobile phones, etc, electronically...

but convey the election result using colored smoke

This is why I love the Catholic Church

[dimbear]

17. That's a good one. High tech. Borrowed from your neighborhood cineplex.

What next? An electric fireplace?

[goldent]

18. "What next? An electric fireplace?"

As long as it can produce black or white smoke on demand, it'll do!

[Phillip McCleod]

20. 'special jamming devices'.

sounds like a challenge. i'm sure i'm not the only one who hears that subtext.

on second thought. who really cares? it'll be some evil asshole, no matter how it goes.