Amenities smacked of a cheap motel, except for the priceless Renaissance art hanging about. Before the conclave, workers set up plain beds, each with a little bundle of toiletries that included soap and such things. Some of the American cardinals, including the late John Cody of Chicago, gently complained about having no decent showers. One more conclave thing needs attention. I covered the last two papal elections and can tell you that the smoke signals don't work.
White smoke is supposed to indicate a new pope, black smoke means no two-thirds majority.
Twice the smoke looked gray. Szoka, with his practical approach to business, is just the kind of guy who can fix something like that. George Bullard is Detroit News religion writer. His column appears Saturdays.