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Where do cardinals stay during a modern papal conclave?
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papal conclave
Cardinals assembled inside the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican Palace for a conclave to elect a new pope; Vatican City, 2005.
During a modern papal conclave, cardinals reside at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (also known as Casa Santa Marta or St. Martha’s House).1
This facility is a hotel-like building constructed during the reign of Pope John Paul II to accommodate visiting clergy. This represents a shift from historical practices, where cardinals were previously housed in small, temporary apartments called cellae within the Vatican Palace. While they stay at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the actual voting process takes place within the Sistine Chapel, which is strictly sealed off to ensure the secrecy of the election.1