Monday, 17th April will be the day that one of the most awaited decisions of the year may be made, namely the naming of the new Pope. It is also likely the day that many people will try and break the tight security surrounding the Sistine Chapel to get the first word on who will be the new Papal Successor. According to Yahoo! News - Electronic Spying Threatens Vatican Secrecy:
"Computer hackers, electronic bugs and supersensitive microphones threaten to pierce the Vatican's thick walls next week when cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to name a papal successor."
It is thought that the Vatican, in addition to its own security people, will enlist the help of the plice and security professionals to prevent any news leaking out. In the last papacy, John Paul set down rules to protect cardinals from "threats to their independence of judgment." In short, cell phones, electronic organizers, radios, newspapers, TVs and recorders were banned.
With the advent of highly sophisticated eavesdropping equipment, it is now possible to target sensitive microphones, which can be placed over a quarter of a mile away, at buildings to pick up conversations. The Vatican has even gone as far as replacing the floor of the Sistine Chapel with a false one which houses jamming equipment to prevent bugging devices or mobile phone signals. However, it did seem that one or two reporters, who were given a brief tour of the Sistine Chapel, were able pick up signals from their mobile phones.
Related Links
Sistine Chapel Ready for Papal Conclave (Detroit Free News)
Sistine Chapel Has False Floor, Stove (Guardian)