Why are cardinals isolated from news media and phones during a papal conclave?

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Cardinals of the Catholic Church, dressed in red, sit at long tables in the Sistine Chapel during the 2005 papal election conclave, surrounded by ornate frescoed walls. — 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 papal conclave, cardinals are isolated from news media, telephones, and personal computers to ensure the absolute secrecy of the election process.1

The term conclave is derived from the Latin phrase cum clave, meaning "with a key," which reflects the system of strict seclusion to which the electors submit. By sealing off the area and prohibiting external communication, the church protects the integrity of the vote from outside influence or interference. These security measures are essential to maintaining the independence of the Roman Catholic Church and ensuring that the election of a new pope remains a private, spiritual, and deliberative act, free from the pressures of secular powers or public opinion.213