The conclave for the election of the new pope begins, and many organizational aspects must be considered in the Vatican, including the nutrition of the 133 papal electors. What do the cardinals eat during the conclave? The meals take place at the Santa Marta guesthouse, where the voting cardinals are accommodated. There will be no lunch box with sandwiches and a bottle of water, said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni to journalists.

Diet Plan à la Pope Francis

Since theoretically a conclave can last for days, the clergy must adhere to a special diet that provides them with the right amount of energy without overloading the stomach. The new dietary rules were introduced by Pope Francis himself at the Santa Marta guesthouse, where he has lived since the beginning of his pontificate in 2013.

Breakfast is light and consists of coffee, tea, and jam, as announced in the Vatican. Lunch is the main meal and consists of pasta or rice, white meat or baked fish, bread, and vegetables. These are harvested in the gardens of the Vatican. Fruit is served as a conclusion. To drink, there is water and wine, but no spirits.

In the evening, the meal is even lighter. The menu also takes into account food intolerances and health issues of the older cardinals, such as diabetes. The meals are prepared by the staff of the Santa Marta guesthouse, who are sworn to secrecy before the conclave begins.

Strictest Confidentiality: No Network for Cardinals During Conclave

To ensure complete and effective isolation of the cardinals from the rest of the world, frequency jammers have been installed at the Santa Marta guesthouse, preventing the reception or transmission of mobile phones: so-called jammers. The measure is in line with the strict confidentiality rules that apply during the papal election.

From Wednesday at 3:00 PM, all mobile and telecommunications facilities in the Vatican, except for the area of Castel Gandolfo, will be shut down. This measure is intended to prevent any electronic communication so that the conclave can proceed under the strictest confidentiality, as prescribed by canon law.

(APA/Red)

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