Cardinals’ Strict Conclave Rules: Forbidden Foods and No Outside Communication

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Voting for a new pope is no joke.

Prior to being designated as the successor of the late Pope Francis (who was previously known as Robert Francis Prevost) in the most recent conclave, he, along with over a hundred other Catholic cardinals, were obliged to follow stringent regulations during this highly confidential event.

Indeed, every cardinal is required to swear a binding oath to preserve the confidentiality of the conclave, facing “immediate” expulsion from the church, as outlined in the document known as Universi Dominici Gregis, which governs the process of electing a new pope.

When the doors of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel are locked, as the master of ceremonies calls out “everyone out” to expel those who aren’t participating in the voting process, any communication with the external world is prohibited.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d express it this way: Cardinals are strictly forbidden from engaging with any form of electronic or printed media, including the internet, social media, television, phones, radios, newspapers, and fax machines, according to the U.D.G.

To ensure absolutely no secret messages are hidden, the Vatican kitchen deliberately abstains from serving dishes like ravioli, whole chickens, or pies, which could potentially camouflage messages.

Regarding communication among cardinals: They can discuss with one another about the election process, but they are prohibited from entering into any type of agreement, pledge, or commitment that might influence their voting decision, as per the U.D.G. guidelines.

In the 2024 film “Conclave,” characters portrayed by Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci share a strong bond, mirroring their on-screen camaraderie. However, in actual papal elections, electors are advised against being swayed by friendships or personal relationships when casting their votes, as stated by the U.D.G., to maintain an unbiased process.

As an ardent follower, I’m called upon in the U.D.G. to implore divine intervention and cast my vote for the individual who, in my discernment, appears best equipped to guide our global Church towards prosperity and growth.

According to custom, a candidate must receive more than two-thirds of the votes, plus one, in order to be chosen as the new pope. The Vatican reveals the conclave’s decision by setting fire to ballot papers, causing white smoke to billow from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel’s roof. This is different from black smoke, which signals that the cardinals have not yet come to a consensus.

To see all the cardinals who were in the running for pope in the latest conclave, keep reading.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin has been serving as Pope Francis’s right-hand man, or the Secretary of State, since 2014.

As a previous ambassador to Venezuela, the 70-year-old Italian held responsibility for overseeing internal church matters and shaping official foreign policy within the Vatican and on global platforms. This role made him deeply knowledgeable about the political landscape of the Roman Catholic Church, both at home and abroad.

However, Parolin’s selection is not without a hint of controversy, as he has been associated with, but not indicted regarding, an investment in a London real estate project that turned sour. This event led to the trial of Cardinal Angelo Becciu and nine others for financial misconduct at the Vatican in 2021. (Becciu, maintaining his innocence, was eventually found guilty of fraud and embezzlement.)

Serving in my capacity as the Archbishop of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, found myself developing a strong bond with Pope Francis as a trusted member of his nine-person advisory council, the Council of Cardinals.

Should he be chosen for the role, this individual would make history as the first Pope hailing from sub-Saharan Africa. However, it’s important to note that his views lean towards a more traditional interpretation of the church, as he has expressed opposition to the 2023 decree permitting blessings for same-sex couples, issued by Pope Francis.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, hailing from the Philippines, joined Pope Francis on several journeys across Asia, making him a potential candidate to become the first Asian Pope in history. Notably, Pope Francis was the first non-European Pontiff since 741 A.D., so this upcoming conclave might see more groundbreaking milestones.

Often called “Chito” among his followers, this friendly 67-year-old stands as an ally for the underprivileged, aligning with Pope Francis’ values. Previously serving as archbishop of Manila, Tagle was relocated to Rome by France to lead the Vatican’s department focused on missionary evangelization.

During the 2013 Vatican conclave, Tagle was initially thought as a potential candidate. However, due to his age of 55, he was deemed far too young for the role.

Matteo Zuppi, who advocates strongly for the church’s role in serving the less fortunate, was appointed as a cardinal in 2019. There has been conjecture that, under normal circumstances, he might have been Pope Francis’ chosen successor. (Bologna, Italy)

Since 2015, he has served as archbishop of Bologna and is commonly referred to as “Don Matteo.” Known for his advocacy, he stands up for immigrants and their struggles. He also penned the introduction for the Italian version of Reverend James Martin’s 2017 book titled “Building a Bridge,” which offers insights into how the church could better serve members within the LGBTQ+ community.

Apart from being part of a charitable group, the Sant’Egidio Community team, he played a role in brokering the conclusion of Mozambique’s civil conflict during the 1990s. Later, Pope Francis appointed him as his representative for peace efforts, given the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

In 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed Peter Erdo, who was then 50 years old from Hungary, as the youngest cardinal at that time. Notably, the current archbishop of Budapest is recognized for his advocacy towards Hungary’s Jewish community and his efforts to connect with Catholics in Latin America and Africa. However, compared to Pope Francis, Erdo holds more deeply rooted conservative views.

At present, he is 72 years old. He has publicly criticized the church for accepting migrants and denying communion to divorced Catholics, a practice which Pope Francis, though not explicitly forbidding, has shown willingness to assess on a case-by-case basis.

71-year-old Archbishop Reinhard Marx from Munich and Freising, served as a prominent advisor to Pope Francis. He led the Council for the Economy, an organization established in 2014 with the responsibility of overseeing Vatican finances during a period when the church sought greater transparency in its financial dealings. Among the original council members, Marx was one of only two who continued their service after Pope Francis added six women to the council in 2020.

Last year, Marx tendered his resignation as archbishop in order to make amends for the mishandling of sexual abuse reports by the German church, a problem that has caused turmoil within the Catholic faith globally. However, Francis declined the offer and instead encouraged him to continue serving.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet from Canada, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, was in charge of an office that assists in selecting diocese leaders globally until 2023. Since 2019, this office has been conducting investigations into bishops accused of concealing the actions of predatory priests worldwide. This means that Ouellet has reviewed numerous files related to a significant number of church officials.

Similar to Francis, Ouellet advocates for women playing a more significant role within the church; however, much like Francis himself, he remains opposed to them becoming priests.

Born in Chicago, Cardinal Robert Prevost could become the first U.S. pope in history. For nine years, he served as the leader of the diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, before Pope Francis appointed him to oversee the office that reviews bishop nominations worldwide in 2023. At 69 years old, Prevost also holds the position of President for the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. This role strengthens the church’s ties with the region where nearly 40% of global Catholics reside.

Christoph Schƶenborn, who held the position of Archbishop of Vienna from September 1995 until January 22, 2025, has expressed approval for civil unions and female deacons, andā€”being someone whose parents divorced during his teenage yearsā€”he endorsed Francis’ efforts towards Catholics who have gone through divorce and remarriage in a civil ceremony.

In 2010, an 80-year-old individual criticized the Vatican for not disciplining high-ranking officials who were accused of sexual misconduct in the past, including his predecessor in Vienna, Hans Hermann Groƫr, who died in 2003 without facing charges. Schƶenborn claimed that Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who passed away in 2022, was responsible for orchestrating a cover-up to shield Groƫr and downplayed the issue by calling accusations of clerical abuse mere rumors or gossip.

During Benedict XVI’s tenure, the Vatican reprimanded Schƶenborn for expressing his opinions, arguing that it is only within the power of a Pope to make such a charge against a cardinal.

Anders Arborelius, aged 75, embraced Catholicism at the age of 20 and, in 2017, made history as Sweden’s inaugural Catholic cardinal. Originally a predominantly Lutheran country, Sweden has since evolved into a more secular nation.

A previous member of the Carmelite Order recently expressed the need for unity, stating in a recent interview (as reported by the New York Times), “There’s a risk in certain sectors of the church that we become divided over different matters. We should avoid creating political factions within the Catholic Church.

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2025-05-10 00:17