The 2013 conclave: a secret election under unprecedented public scrutiny

Society · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: How does a centuries-old ritual of absolute secrecy survive in the age of social media? To elect a new pope in 2013, the Vatican had to balance ancient oaths of silence with a modern world demanding transparency, resulting in a high-tech fortress of faith.

The 2013 conclave was defined by a tension between tradition and modernity. While the election process followed the 1996 rules established by John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI introduced specific amendments. The College of Cardinals received greater flexibility regarding the commencement date via the letter Normas nonnullas, alongside a revised statute mandating immediate excommunication for any non-cardinal violating the total secrecy oath. To maintain this secrecy, the Vatican employed physical and technological barriers. A Faraday cage was installed in the Sistine Chapel area to block all outgoing and incoming communications. However, the 'secret' nature of the event was paradoxically more public than ever before; approximately 5,600 journalists were accredited to cover the proceedings. This created a unique environment where cardinals were researching one another online, and some even suspended their own social media accounts during the interregnum. The selection process was complicated by a lack of clear front-runners. While certain figures like Angelo Scola were initially considered 'papabili' (pope-able), Scola's perception declined due to a corruption probe. Other observers noted a state of confusion, with many cardinals remarking 'Siamo confusi'—we're confused—as there were no clear blocs. Ultimately, the 115 participating electors reached a two-thirds majority on the fifth ballot, electing Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who took the name Francis.

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