In brief
In a tradition dating back to the 19th century, a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel releases white or black smoke to indicate the outcome of papal elections, with white signifying a new pope and black indicating a deadlock in voting. This unique practice has evolved over the years, offering clarity to onlookers in St. Peter's Square.
Once the cardinals sequester themselves in the Sistine Chapel to vote for the next pope, a chimney spewing smoke becomes the focal point for spectators gathered in St. Peter's Square. This distinct signaling method — releasing white smoke to announce a new pope and black smoke to communicate an ongoing deadlock — has become a hallmark of papal elections, with historical roots traced back to the 19th century. This custom, as noted by historians, likely began when earlier conclaves were hosted at the Quirinale Palace, which is currently the residence of the Italian president. Notably, Frederic J. Baumgartner’s book “Behind Locked Doors” mentions that the first documented use of smoke to convey election results was in 1823, although ballots from previous conclaves were burned without intent to inform outsiders.The smoke signifies the burning of the voting ballots alongside any accompanying notes from the cardinals, fed into a cast-iron stove post voting rounds. This process involves a round of votes on the first day, then four additional rounds daily consisting of two in the morning and two in the afternoon. After two rounds of voting, unless a new pope has been elected, the ballots are incinerated.In a historical context, the use of smoke signals has seen its share of misinformation, particularly during the 1958 conclave, when premature white smoke caused confusion as a pope had yet to be chosen. Adjustments have been made over time to ensure a more reliable communication method, allowing Catholic faithful and observers from around the globe to stay informed regarding one of the most significant decisions made within the Church.
