The upcoming conclave to elect a new pope has the cardinals sharing meals that have been described as more fitting for a train station than a holy gathering.
Cardinals' Conclave Dinner: A Culinary Experience to Forget
Cardinals' Conclave Dinner: A Culinary Experience to Forget
Amid discussions of faith and leadership, the food served at the Vatican guesthouse leaves much to be desired.
May 7, 2025, 3:54 p.m. ET
The cardinals partaking in the upcoming conclave are on a quest to choose a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church, but their culinary experience at the Vatican guesthouse leaves little to be desired. “Food you might find at a train station,” is how Cardinal Mauro Piacenza characterized it, revealing a grim menu of bland pastas drowned in watery sauce and uninspiring salads.
The Casa Santa Marta, where the conclave participants will reside, is also not a feast for the eyes. With its drab decor featuring pale green columns and simplistic furnishings, the vibe hardly inspires the lofty discussions expected in the election of a pope. Even dining at the guesthouse, which was home to Pope Francis during his tenure, has lost its charm as he transitioned to in-room meals due to health concerns.
Diners recount tales of inconspicuous vegetables and reused leftovers—such as a box of Middle Eastern dates initially bestowed upon the Pope. Acknowledgements of the untasteful meals have found common ground among cardinals across various perspectives. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi remarked, “You don’t eat very well,” while Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller lamented, “It’s not so good,” confirming the lackluster fare.
The expectation, it seems, is that while the food may lack flavor, the responsibility of electing the Church's next spiritual leader holds far greater significance than their dining choices.
The cardinals partaking in the upcoming conclave are on a quest to choose a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church, but their culinary experience at the Vatican guesthouse leaves little to be desired. “Food you might find at a train station,” is how Cardinal Mauro Piacenza characterized it, revealing a grim menu of bland pastas drowned in watery sauce and uninspiring salads.
The Casa Santa Marta, where the conclave participants will reside, is also not a feast for the eyes. With its drab decor featuring pale green columns and simplistic furnishings, the vibe hardly inspires the lofty discussions expected in the election of a pope. Even dining at the guesthouse, which was home to Pope Francis during his tenure, has lost its charm as he transitioned to in-room meals due to health concerns.
Diners recount tales of inconspicuous vegetables and reused leftovers—such as a box of Middle Eastern dates initially bestowed upon the Pope. Acknowledgements of the untasteful meals have found common ground among cardinals across various perspectives. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi remarked, “You don’t eat very well,” while Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller lamented, “It’s not so good,” confirming the lackluster fare.
The expectation, it seems, is that while the food may lack flavor, the responsibility of electing the Church's next spiritual leader holds far greater significance than their dining choices.
