Vatican Conclave: Secrecy, Papal Candidates, and Traditions

Conclave Secrecy and Oaths

• 🔒 A hundred Vatican staff and clergy took a solemn oath to keep everything that happens inside the secret conclave secret forever.
• ⚠️ Violators risk excommunication, the highest penalty the Catholic Church can impose.
• 🚫 To ensure secrecy, cell phone towers within the Vatican will be deactivated, and signal jamming devices are installed in the Sistine Chapel.

Papal Candidates and Betting Odds

• 🗳️ Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York is considering two or three candidates for the next Pope, based on their writings and personal acquaintance.
• 📈 Betting odds show the Vatican Secretary of State as the 2-to-1 favorite, followed by Cardinal Luis Taglay of the Philippines at 3-to-1, and Cardinal Peter Turken of Ghana at 5-to-1.

Papal Traditions and Preparations

• 🍦 A local gelato store owner hopes the next Pope will continue the tradition of receiving gelato twice a week, a practice enjoyed with Pope Francis.
• 🥭 Pope Francis's favorite flavors were reportedly dolce de leche and mango.
• 🧵 A Vatican tailor is preparing three sizes of white robes (small, medium, large) for the new Pope.