Vatican officials have installed a simple furnace in the Sistine Chapel to burn ballots during the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope.
On Saturday, the Holy See released a video of preparations for the May 7 conclave, showing the installation of a furnace and a raised floor in the frescoed Sistine Chapel to level the surface.
The video also shows workers assembling the simple wooden tables where cardinals will vote on Wednesday, as well as a ramp leading to the main seating area for cardinals in wheelchairs.
Engineer Silvio Screpanti, who supervised the work, said workers were also turning off all the electronic sensors installed in the Sistine Chapel in recent years to protect the priceless frescoes from damage.
These actions are part of the technological shutdown that accompanies the conclave to avoid eavesdropping on closed meetings and to ensure that the cardinals have no contact with the outside world.
In the coming days, all windows of the Apostolic Palace overlooking the Sistine Chapel will be darkened.
Before the first vote, some 80 seals will be placed around the perimeter of the place where the cardinals will live – between their residence and the Sistine Chapel – to prevent unauthorized access, he said in comments posted on the Vatican City State website.
Fire crews were seen on the roof of the chapel on Friday installing a chimney from which smoke signals will be emitted to announce the election of a new pope.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
