In brief
The Sistine Chapel becomes the center of attention as smoke signifies whether a new pope has been elected or not.
Once sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, cardinals begin the crucial vote to determine the next pope. During this intense process, spectators outside eagerly watch for smoke billowing from a chimney, a visible sign of the results: white for a new pope and black if the voting continues without consensus. This custom, which dates back to the 19th century, has its roots in the history of the conclave, once held at the Quirinale Palace, the former papal residence now serving Italy’s president.Smoke signals have been a part of the Vatican's tradition since at least 1823, marking when cardinals began burning their ballots and notes after voting. The smoke, used to communicate to those gathered in St. Peter’s Square, is produced from the burning ballots in a special cast-iron stove. Until recently, wet straw was added to create white smoke, but this was often unreliable. The famous 1958 conclave saw confusion when puffed white smoke appeared prematurely, indicating a possible election when no pope had actually been chosen. Now, each vote day sees a disciplined schedule, where two rounds are held daily until a decision emerges, clearing up the process and its visual signals for the eager public.
