They aren't merely opening the conclave; they're spreading it all over town.
The custom of sequestering the Cardinals to select the pope arose in Medieval times, when the citizenry, frustrated that the college of Cardinals had been unable to agree on a new pope after three years of political bargaining, locked the college in a room and allowed the members only bread and water until they arrived at a decision. They managed to select a new pope after three days in the new conditions, and locking the college away has been the way ever since.
However, the conditions of the conclave have relaxed since the initial austere enclosure, and this year they are putting up the Cardinals in rather luxurious hotel accommodations. It seems that having a bunch of old men locked together without access to showers just doesn't have the panache it used to ...
And speaking of the college of Cardinals -- I can't help but wonder if their basketball team is any good and whether their nickname is "the Stanfords."
