Digital transformations in Vatican decision-making processes: Analysis of the conclave and the Roman Curia.

Abstract

Digital transformation has modified institutional structures, but its impact on traditional organisations such as the Vatican is insufficiently documented, creating a gap in understanding transnational digital religious diplomacy. This study identified transformations in decision-making processes of the conclave and the Roman Curia through the integration of digital technologies. Through systematic analysis of academic literature during 2015-2025, five categories were recognised: functional, normative, analytical, institutional, and traditional-preservative transformations. A unique model of "conservative modernisation" was evidenced, enabling the Vatican to adopt digital technologies whilst preserving millennial traditions, exemplified in the "digital blackout" during the 2025 conclave. Transnational religious institutions develop distinctive digitalisation patterns balancing technological innovation with preservation of traditional authority, establishing conceptual frameworks for understanding this institutional evolution.