Mobile phone service will be shut down in the Vatican on Wednesday before the start of the closed conclave to elect a new Pope.
Communications will be cut off at 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, an hour and a half before the cardinals are due to enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the papal conclave.
The restrictions will not affect St. Peter’s Square, where thousands of faithful will gather in front of St. Peter’s Basilica to await the announcement of Pope Francis’ successor.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the election is being held in strict secrecy and that cardinals will have to leave their mobile phones at the entrance to the conclave.
On 8 April, Matteo Bruni announced that the conclave of cardinals would meet to elect a new Pope on May 7. About 135 cardinals under the age of 80 from around the world are eligible to participate.
Pope Francis died on April 21 at the age of 88. A memorial mass for the pontiff was held on April 26 in St. Peter’s Square. In accordance with the will of the head of the Catholic Church, he was buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
