Here's how the conclave creates black and white smoke and why the Catholic Church began using them to signal whether a new ...

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 ...

For white smoke, a compound of the chemicals potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin (also known as Greek pitch) is used, ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A change in popes — through death or resignation — is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals ...

The Vatican’s cardinals gather in conclave today to begin electing the successor to the late Pope Francis—which means the ...

Cardinals gather in secret after Pope Francis's burial to elect a new leader. The world watches for smoke from the Sistine ...

Papal conclave ballots have been burned to maintain secrecy for centuries. Ballot smoke has been used to announce a decision ...

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

The result is a mixture of steam and white or light gray smoke that contrasts sharply with the dark, carbon-rich black smoke. Over the years, the papal conclave smoke signal has evolved from an ...

No cameras will be allowed inside the church during the vote, so the result will remain secret until white smoke emerges from ...

This selection comes after two days of conclave in the Sistine Chapel, tying the modern record for the fastest selection of a ...

The result is a mixture of steam and white or light gray smoke that contrasts sharply with the dark, carbon-rich black smoke. Over the years, the papal conclave smoke signal has evolved from an ...