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

For black smoke, the Vatican uses a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulphur. The white smoke used to signal ...

This week, 133 cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to elect a new leader of the Catholic church. During their ...

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

In 2013, the Vatican confirmed that their fumata recipes now consist of a clear black smoke recipe: potassium perchlorate ...

The white smoke was produced using potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin. The once-mysterious recipe for the smoke was unveiled in 2013, The New York Times reported then.

Every time the Catholic Church sets out to elect a new Pope, the eyes of the world turn to the Sistine Chapel and, above all, ...

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 ...

During a Papal Conclave, the world will be watching for white or black smoke from the Vatican's chimney. Here's what it means.

A change in popes — through death or resignation — is a complicated process, with centuries-old rituals involving the ...

Tradition holds that black smoke indicates the cardinals have not yet agreed on a new leader, while white smoke signals that ...