As cardinals convene for the critical selection of the next pope, they prepare to endure a lackluster culinary experience at the Vatican guesthouse, aligning with their ethos of simplicity.
Dining at the Vatican: The Cardinals Brace for Conclave Cuisine
Dining at the Vatican: The Cardinals Brace for Conclave Cuisine
What to expect as cardinals gather for a conclave: simple meals that reflect humility over indulgence.
As the cardinals gear up for the pivotal conclave at the Vatican, their culinary expectations appear modest, reminiscent of what one might find at a train station. Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, hailing from Genoa, expressed his discontent with the food options at Casa Santa Marta, the guesthouse where the cardinals will stay. He illustrated his point with a description of the phosphate pastas drenched in “watery sauce” and mundane salads.
The guesthouse ambiance does little to elevate the dining experience either, presenting a rather clinical cafeteria adorned with pale green columns and utilitarian furnishings, accompanied by eclectic fan art of Pope Francis styled as a Jedi knight. Historically, Santa Marta was favored by Pope Francis himself, known for his commitment to humility and simple living, which may have inadvertently contributed to the decline in culinary quality. With more bland vegetables and lackluster pastas, some of the meals are even repurposed from leftover gifts intended for the pope, such as a box of dates sourced from the Middle East.
Opinions on the food seem to unite cardinals across the spectrum, with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi affirming, “You don’t eat very well,” while Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, previously dismissed by Francis, added, “It’s not so good”. Although the conclave’s culinary offerings are not designed to impress, they do reflect the broader values espoused by the church, emphasizing modesty over lavishness amid this crucial decision-making process.
The guesthouse ambiance does little to elevate the dining experience either, presenting a rather clinical cafeteria adorned with pale green columns and utilitarian furnishings, accompanied by eclectic fan art of Pope Francis styled as a Jedi knight. Historically, Santa Marta was favored by Pope Francis himself, known for his commitment to humility and simple living, which may have inadvertently contributed to the decline in culinary quality. With more bland vegetables and lackluster pastas, some of the meals are even repurposed from leftover gifts intended for the pope, such as a box of dates sourced from the Middle East.
Opinions on the food seem to unite cardinals across the spectrum, with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi affirming, “You don’t eat very well,” while Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, previously dismissed by Francis, added, “It’s not so good”. Although the conclave’s culinary offerings are not designed to impress, they do reflect the broader values espoused by the church, emphasizing modesty over lavishness amid this crucial decision-making process.
