White or black: How the conclave smoke gets made

White or black: How the conclave smoke gets made

Where does the smoke come from and how are the two colors — black and white

White smoke comes out of the chimney in the Vatican

Every time a new pope is chosen, the world’s attention is directed to the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. During the conclave, there is a smoke that reveals whether or not there was agreement between the cardinals. If the smoke is white, Habemus Papam ("we have a pope"). If it is black, it means that the cardinals still did not reach a decision. But how are these smokes generated and what elements are used to produce them? Although the system see…

White or black: How the conclave smoke gets made - Catholic Canada

Black smoke billows from the chimney at 11:53 a.m. local time over St. Peter’s Square on May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 10:20 am (CNA). Read the Whole Article at http://feeds.feedburner.com/catholicnewsagency/dailynewsThe post White or black: How the conclave smoke gets made appeared first on Catholic Canada.

A few seconds of white smoke coming out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, after the black smoke on the morning of this Thursday, May 8, which announced that the cardinals had not chosen the new Pope, confused all those who had approached St. Peter’s Square and also the journalists who were there. Many of the media in St. Peter’s Square directed their targets towards the chimney after some faithful and curious began to squeal at the sight of …

• Seconds after the Sistine Chapel issued the sign, faithful noticed white smoke in the chimney.