I’ve been asked whether the cardinals will be sequestered during the conclave, as is traditional, or whether they will be free to roam throughout Vatican City. Apparently, Fox News reported that Archbishop Marini, the papal master of ceremonies who has been appointed by the General Congregation of cardinals to act as their spokesman, told them that they would have access to all of Vatican City.
That’s not exactly true. This is the first election where the cardinals will not be housed in the Sistine Chapel during the conclave, instead housing them in the Dmous Marthae dormitory. What the media was told was that the cardinals will be shuttled back and forth from the dormitory to the chapel and that the whole of Vatican City is to be considered part of the conclave and thus the media are not to approach the cardinals at any time.
