The New Pope’s New (Temporary) Digs

From the official Vatican Youtube account:

On Tuesday, the Cardinals moved to the Casa Santa Marta, which will be a secured residence throughout the period of the Conclave. The building has been prepared for this task over the last few days, including a room which will initially host the Pope after he is elected. The suite set aside for the new Pope is number 201. The new Pope is expected to stay in the Casa Santa Marta for at least a few weeks to allow time for the reopening and preparation of the papal apartment on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace. Meanwhile, in anticipation of the conclave, the clothes which will be worn by the new pope were placed in the “Room of Tears” adjacent to the Sistine Chapel…

The sparseness of the accommodations where the Cardinals will stay over the course of the Conclave strikes me: a single bed, a Crucifix, white walls. The newly elected Pope’s quarters — Suite 201 — look like a slight upgrade, but still very simple and stark. I wonder how our “wired” American Cardinals feel today, unplugged from their devices and Twitter accounts and at work and prayer in the most important task they perform as Cardinals. It will be fascinating to hear how this process plays out!