The Capella Sistina is being transformed these days into one of the most heavily guarded sites in the world, as Vatican technicians outfit it with advanced security measures for the start of the conclave on Wednesday (7/5), when 133 cardinals under the age of 80 will be asked to elect the next Pope.

To ensure the conclave’s absolute secrecy, the Vatican has enlisted a combination of high-security technologies and stringent physical measures.

Electronic “shield” and secrecy

Protective measures include – according to Reuters – special films on windows to prevent recording by drones, as well as signal jamming systems on mobile phones, which are banned anyway during the conclave.

In 2013 it was reported that a “Faraday cage“, a metal structure that blocks electromagnetic waves, was also used to prevent surveillance. Despite the measures, it remains unclear whether there will be interference with cell phone antennas outside the Vatican walls.

Four votes a day and…smoke in the sky

The conclave can go as high as four votes a day. The votes will be burned in the distinctive chimney that placed recently on the roof of Capela Sistina: black smoke for failed election, white smoke for new Pontiff.

The cardinals will stay in the Santa Marta guesthouse, which was evacuated in the past few days to be thoroughly checked by security forces. The main entrance has been closed and participants are asked to enter through a side entrance. According to reports, Wi-Fi power has been significantly reduced on Monday (5/5), while enhanced measures drone detection have been put in place with the cooperation of the Italian authorities.

Cardinals will be escorted by Vatican police and the Swiss Guard, either by bus or – for the more adventurous – by hiking through the gardens of St. Peter’s.

A “protective cordon” at every step

As a source with knowledge of the proceedings said, “there will be a protective cordon around the cardinals at all times”. Even if they want to take a walk or smoke in the garden, no one will be able to get close.

Aides, including priests, cooks, drivers, cleaners and chaperones have already taken an oath of “absolute and lifelong confidentiality”. Violation of the oath draws automatic excommunication from the Church.