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The succession of Pope Francis is a mystery. The Conclave began today, May 7, but it is unknown when it will come to an end. The 133 cardinals are already isolated in the Vatican, and, throughout the process, they will have to respect the protocol, the strict traditions and the food that corresponds to them. A whole series of rules focused on guaranteeing seriousness and ‘orienting them towards the common good of the ecclesial body’.
The nutritionist Giorgio Calabrese has been in charge of designing the food plan for which the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul will have the final decision. Thus, according to the guidelines, the cardinal electors will begin their day with a sweet breakfast consisting of toast with honey or jam along with tea or coffee.
The menu
For lunch, the religious cast will taste light but tasty dishes such as pasta with tomato and fresh basil, a vegetable risotto, white meat or grilled fish with steamed vegetables. A diet that avoids saturated fats in which you can drink wine to ‘feed’ on the blood of Christ. Of course, in transparent glasses or jugs to avoid any hidden message.
In the evening, dinner will focus on easily digestible foods, such as smoked salmon, sardines, cooked ham or fresh cheeses. However, the rigidity of this diet prohibits a number of foods from the menu, such as asparagus, the reason being its sulfur composition which makes it much more difficult to digest and the strong odor in the urine caused by asparagusic acid. Since the cardinals share bathrooms, this rule is imposed as ‘a matter of mutual respect in a closed and spiritual environment’, as pointed out by liturgist Nicola Bux.
The food prohibitions do not end there. They continue with stuffed meats, fried foods, pies or dishes that could hide messages: a decision that would be imposed in the thirteenth century to ensure transparency in the selection process.
