The secrecy of the Conclave's cooks

The conclave is one of the most solemn and mysterious moments in the Catholic Church: the cardinals gather to elect the new pontiff in an atmosphere of meditation, silence, and prayer. But what happens between one vote and the next? What do the cardinals eat while waiting for the pope's famous smoke , white or black?

A sober and reserved diet

During the conclave, the cardinal electors stay at the Casa Santa Marta , within Vatican City. Meals are prepared by a small staff, whose task is to offer simple, nutritious cuisine that respects the spirituality of the moment.

The menus are simple:

• Breakfast : coffee, milk, bread, butter and jam.

• Lunch and dinner : traditional Italian dishes such as pasta, rice, meat or fish, vegetable side dishes, seasonal fruit and light desserts.

It is certainly not a question of banquets: sobriety is an integral part of the spiritual climate that precedes the long-awaited white smoke , the symbol that a new pope has been elected.

Secrecy even in the kitchen

All the staff at Casa Santa Marta are bound by an oath of secrecy, as required by the rules of the conclave. Even the cooks and those serving meals are prohibited from divulging information about the progress of the vote or the daily lives of the cardinals. Everything is conducted in the utmost secrecy, awaiting the moment when the pope's cigarette will indicate the outcome of the vote.

White smoke or black smoke?

Each day of the conclave is marked by smoke:

• The black smoke signals that no agreement has yet been reached on the election of the pope.

• The white smoke , instead, announces to the world that the new pontiff has been chosen.

Meanwhile, between votes, the cardinals' lives continue with moments of reflection and silent meals. Even at the table, the conclave maintains an atmosphere of recollection, away from the spotlight, awaiting the decision that will change the history of the Church.

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