If no pope is chosen, the ballots are mixed with cartridges containing potassium perchlorate, anthracene (a component of coal tar), and sulfur to produce black smoke. But if there is a winner ...

Hype has been building on social media around the Catholic Church's secretive, centuries-old tradition of conclaves to elect ...

At the end of each voting round, black smoke means a new pope has not yet to be selected, while white smoke indicates a new ...

Rather than soot, the smoke contains microscopic droplets and fine solids that are transparent or white. The result is a ...

Following Pope Francis’ death, the Vatican begins the conclave to elect a new pope, with smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel marking the votes.

Black smoke indicates that votes have been cast, but no candidate has received the two-thirds majority required to be elected pope. White smoke means that a new pope has been selected. The color ...

And once the election process for a new pope begins, gatherers will turn upward each day, waiting for black or white smoke to fill the sky. Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21. He was 88 years ...

Modern science has stepped in to ensure the clarity of the signal, using specific chemical mixtures to produce unambiguous black or white smoke. This blend of tradition and technology allows the ...

If black smoke plumes over the Vatican, observers know a new pope has yet to be chosen. If white smoke is spotted, folks will know a new pope has been selected to lead the Catholic Church.

STORY: :: A pyrotechnic expert explains how the black and white papal smoke signals are created :: May 2, 2025 :: Rome, Italy ::Massimiliano De Sanctis, Fireworks expert ''During the conclave the ...