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

Papal conclave ballots have been burned to maintain secrecy for centuries. Ballot smoke has been used to announce a decision since 1914.

Black smoke has been rising from the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the cardinals have not yet elected a new pope on Thursday.

On the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, white smoke from the Sistine Chapel's chimney billowed into the sky, prompting waves of ...

White smoke came from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Rome on Thursday afternoon, indicating the 133 cardinals had elected a new pope.

The papal conclave to select the next pope began May 7, with USA TODAY providing live stream coverage. Cardinal electors will vote in secret, with white smoke signifying the election of a new pope.

Here's what to know about the black and white smoke used during a papal conclave. A papal conclave is an election of a new pope, conducted by the College of Cardinals − bishops and Vatican officials ...

The Vatican’s cardinals gather in conclave today to begin electing ... they have come to an agreement by releasing a plume of white smoke, the dramatic prelude to the unveiling of the new ...

Italy’s Pietro Parolin leads odds on the Polymarket and Kalshi betting platforms, while Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines ...

Watch: Video shows white smoke emerging from Sistine Chapel as Vatican roars with cheers History is made with new Pope Leo XIV, first-ever pontiff from US: Recap Who's the pope? Conclave ends with ...

For white smoke, a compound of the chemicals potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin (also known as Greek pitch) is used, while potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur are used for the black ...