Revealed within the Vatican: Accommodations for cardinals during the conclave found in the residency of Sainte-Martha, notably featuring a bed, a crucifix, and a bathroom.
Just Six Days Away: The Next Pope's Election Begins
Get ready for some major religious shake-up, folks! In exactly a week, the selection of Pope Francis' successor will commence. Among the pre-conclave events is the relocation of the Santa Marta residence occupants to the Vatican gardens. These grounds will serve as the cardinals' sleeping quarters during the election process.
Pierre-Jean Gire, an ambassador of the pontifical foundation, is one of the around 50 residents at Santa Marta, but not at the moment: "I had to retreat to a convent." For the Curia personnel, prelates, and other Pope's collaborators residing there, the evacuation deadline was Tuesday, April 29. However, the first cardinals started arriving as early as the day of Francis' passing: "They were a bit disoriented. They were mainly concerned with visiting the Holy Father."
"When the Holy Father arrived in the morning, he greeted all the staff," Pierre-Jean Gire continues. "Here, they'll find very modest rooms, equipped with a bed, a crucifix, a bathroom, and a small adjacent office. Plus common spaces, a lounge, a hall, and a dining room for discussions. The people responsible for maintenance and meals take a secrecy oath about what they might overhear."
With 126 rooms at Santa Marta and 133 electors, housing cardinals in an adjacent building might be necessary. As for the next pope, "When the Holy Father arrived in the morning, he had breakfast, and he greeted all the Santa Marta staff. How's your son? How did his exam go? Of course, that won't exist if he's in the papal palace." During the conclave, room 201 where Francis once dwelt will be sealed, making one less available.
Santa Marta, a Vatican guesthouse designed especially for conclave participants, boasts private rooms and baths, replacing the cramped quarters and temporary cots of earlier conclaves[1][2]. Recent reports suggest potential overflow to adjacent Vatican residences to accommodate the increased number of cardinal electors[4]. Sequestered cardinals will remain in Santa Marta between voting rounds, with no external communication allowed[4]. Despite the protocols prioritizing privacy and security, Pope Francis’ own residency at Santa Marta since 2013— marked by communal dining and interaction with clergy—reflects the building's simplicity[3]. Historical worries about Santa Marta's height obstructing neighborhood views of St. Peter’s Basilica[1] have not hindered its conclave utility.
- Pierre-Jean Gire, an ambassador of the pontifical foundation, is currently staying at a convent, as he was one of the residents evacuated from the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican, due to the upcoming election of the new pope.
- In the coming week, the cardinals will set up temporary accommodations in the Vatican gardens, utilizing the Santa Marta residence as their sleeping quarters during the election process, a change from their usual private rooms and baths provided there.
- With more cardinal electors than resident rooms available at Santa Marta, there might be a need to move some cardinals to adjacent Vatican residences when the election process begins.
- Once the new pope is elected, he will not have the regular interactions with the staff and clergy that Pope Francis had during his residence at Santa Marta since 2013, as the selected room might be the papal palace, altering the communication and daily life patterns.
