As 135 cardinals prepare to gather behind locked doors in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to elect the next pope, attention turns not only to Vatican politics but to a centuries-old logistical question: how are they fed without compromising secrecy?

The conclave is among the most confidential political events in the world, governed by detailed protocol dating back to the 13th century. From restricted communication to controlled meals, nearly every element is designed to ensure the sanctity and security of the decision-making process.

According to Vatican historians and culinary records, food — seemingly trivial — has long been a potential breach point. That’s why menu items and delivery methods are regulated down to the smallest detail.

Historical Origins of Food Protocols

Strict culinary rules during papal elections were first formalized by Pope Gregory X in 1274, after a nearly three-year conclave failed to deliver a result. Measures included:

• Restricted diets after prolonged deadlock (e.g., bread and water after eight days)
• Full isolation of electors from the outside world
• Ban on certain foods like whole chickens or ravioli, where notes could be hidden
• No cloth napkins, which could serve as carriers of messages

The reasoning was simple: food could serve as a conduit for clandestine communication, and communal meals could become venues for covert lobbying.

One of the most detailed historical records comes from Bartolomeo Scappi, Renaissance chef to popes Pius IV and Pius V. In his seminal 1570 cookbook Opera dell’Arte del Cucinare, Scappi described the conclave dining process in detail — including the use of guards, tasters, and a “rota” (a rotating window built into the wall for anonymous food transfer). Every dish was inspected; every utensil monitored.

Modern Practice: Simplicity and Surveillance

While the harsh restrictions of the Middle Ages have softened, the spirit of controlled isolation remains. For the upcoming conclave:

• Cardinals will stay in Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican’s guesthouse
• Meals will be prepared by nuns, known for cooking simple, regional dishes
• Sample menu items include minestrone, spaghetti, arrosticini (grilled lamb skewers), and boiled vegetables
• All items will be checked for tampering, and beverages are served in transparent containers

The shift from lavish Renaissance meals to modest cuisine reflects the modern church’s emphasis on humility and discretion, especially under the influence of Pope Francis.

“We are not here to produce blockbusters,” one Vatican insider quipped, referring to the absence of elaborate meals. “We are here to discern God’s will.”

Symbolism in Simplicity

Contemporary media continues to explore the symbolic power of food during conclaves. In the 2024 film Conclave, most scenes unfold not in the Sistine Chapel, but in the dining room — portraying the table as a stage for subtle alliances and silent power shifts.

The filmmakers capture the paradox of conclave culture: while formal debate is prohibited, informal communication — through gestures, eye contact, or shared meals — may shape outcomes.

Even the types of food served carry symbolic weight. The rejection of ornate dishes or “hidden” foods like stuffed pasta speaks not just to security but to the theological message of transparency and discipline.

Lessons from History

Centuries of papal elections offer rich insights into how logistics, symbolism, and tradition shape one of the most scrutinized religious processes on Earth:

• Food security has always been linked to political security
• Transparency in presentation reduces the risk of tampering
• Meals remain one of the few shared spaces where informal consensus may begin to emerge

As the Vatican prepares for the 2025 conclave, cardinals are seen dining across Rome, enjoying their final meals before entering days — or possibly weeks — of total isolation.

For one of them, the next dinner may be as Pontifex Maximus.