Cameras, AI, and opaque glass: this is how the Vatican shields itself from electing the new pope.

The election of a new pope is an extraordinary event that transcends the religious and reaches the historical .

Millions of people around the world will be watching closely what happens in the Vatican in the coming days, as the cardinals gather to secretly vote on Pope Francis's successor . But this time, beyond the symbolism and solemnity of the moment, there is another factor that makes the difference: technology.

In the 21st century, where a simple image taken with a cell phone can travel around the world in seconds, protecting the secret of the conclave has become a high-security mission . And the Vatican knows it. That's why it has deployed an impressive digital shield with cameras, artificial intelligence, signal jammers, and opaque glass to prevent any leak, no matter how small.

It's not just about preventing a drone from sneaking in or a journalist with a good zoom lens from capturing something from outside. It's much more than that. It's a preventive battle against modern threats: espionage, cyberattacks, social media, and, above all, disinformation . Because in these times, a malicious—or even false—leak can sow doubt, unleash conspiracy theories, or even generate tensions within and outside the Church.

For that reason, and given the times we live in—and the technological reach they have—this conclave is going to be, by far, the most closely watched in history.

Jammers, opaque windows, and 24/7 surveillance

With the potential risks in mind, the Vatican has deployed an arsenal of security measures. One of the most striking is the use of signal jammers, which block any type of wireless communication within key areas of the conclave. This means that no device can transmit or receive signals. Cell phones, hidden microphones, transmitters: everything is silenced.

The windows have also been covered with opaque film to prevent drones or satellites from capturing images from outside. Furthermore, thorough inspections will be carried out before and during the process to detect any spy devices. The spaces are also continuously monitored by more than 650 cameras connected to an underground control center.

The objective is one: to preserve the silence, confidentiality, and integrity of the process . To ensure that the name of the new pontiff is not leaked prematurely, and that the ritual of the white smoke retains all its symbolism.

We asked AI who will be the next Pope and this is its answer

Artificial intelligence at the service of silence

The Vatican's use of artificial intelligence to protect such a traditional process as the conclave may sound unorthodox, but it makes perfect sense. This type of technology is no longer just the domain of large companies or scientific laboratories: it has become a key tool for uncovering threats in real time.

According to the international media outlet Wired , this type of technology is being implemented in the process of electing the new pope, although it hasn't specified exactly how. One possibility would be that the video surveillance cameras themselves could have an AI system implemented capable of "understanding" what they see and detecting anomalies thanks to trained algorithms , such as recognizing movement patterns, identifying unusual behavior, or detecting the presence of objects that shouldn't be there.

It's curious that the Vatican is turning to this technology, which Pope Francis himself warned about not so long ago.

An ancient ritual facing the challenges of the 21st century

Although these measures may seem like something out of a spy movie, they are necessary today to safeguard one of the best-kept secrets of the modern world. The Church, with more than two thousand years of history, is aware that even its oldest traditions must adapt to the challenges of the present .

The conclave is, by definition, a closed-door process, removed from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. But today, that outside world is noisier, more unpredictable, and more intrusive than ever. In an era marked by overexposure, constant tracking, and viral misinformation , even an event so carefully crafted for silence needs to be protected with tools of the present.

What's happening in the Vatican these days not only speaks to the future of the Church, it also tells us a lot about the kind of society we live in. One in which trust is earned by protecting privacy . One in which tradition can and must coexist with technological innovation. And one in which ancient institutions like the Vatican are forced to adapt to the same digital challenges facing governments, businesses, and citizens.

Thus, while the cardinals secretly vote for the new pontiff, technology will—paradoxically—be responsible for ensuring that this secrecy remains intact . Because today, more than ever, protecting silence is also a matter of intelligence. Artificial intelligence, yes. But intelligence, nonetheless.