Before the joyful announcement “Habemus Papam!”, white smoke rising from the chimney installed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel signals to the entire world that a new Pope has been chosen. Amid applause and cries of joy, images spread worldwide, heightening everyone’s anticipation. When black smoke appears, the crowds in the square disperse, and we must wait a bit longer to see the Bishop of Rome for the first time.
Do You Know the Origin of the Smoke from the Sistine Chapel During the Conclave?
Many Catholics are familiar with the ritual of white and black smoke that accompanies the election of a Pope. When white smoke rises from the roof of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, it means a new Pope has been chosen. If black smoke appears, it means we must wait a bit longer.
The last time smoke was seen during a conclave was in 2013, so many people are unfamiliar with this centuries-old ritual. Therefore, we want to explain what happens to produce the “conclave smoke.”
Next to the chimney on the roof, two cast iron stoves are installed in the Sistine Chapel. In them, the ballots on which the cardinals write the name of their chosen candidate are burned, along with any paper containing notes from the election. The stoves have two openings: one at the bottom to light the fire and another at the top to deposit the materials to be burned.
The color of the smoke results from a chemical process; the ballots are mixed with certain compounds. White smoke is produced by burning elements like metallic zinc and elemental sulfur. This mixture generates a thick white gas, creating the smoke that announces the new Pope. Black smoke originates from burning materials like carbon and wood, releasing gray or black compounds, resulting in the “black smoke” that tells us to wait a bit longer to meet the new Bishop of Rome.
This system of iron stoves was first used in the conclave that elected Pius XII in 1939. Since then, it has been used seven more times: in 1958 for the election of John XXIII; in 1963 for Pope Paul VI; twice in 1978 for the elections of John Paul I and John Paul II; in 2005 for Pope Benedict XVI; and in 2013, after his resignation, the smoke announced Pope Francis. Each of these dates is engraved in Roman numerals on the stoves.
Starting on May 7, 2025, in this jubilee year, we will follow the cardinals entering the Chapel adorned with Michelangelo’s frescoes. With great hope, we await the chimney to emit white smoke and will hear, upon seeing this long-awaited image, the ringing of St. Peter’s bells. But until that moment arrives, we wait anxiously and in prayer for the Successor of Peter, who will bless us and confirm us in faith.
We don’t know when we will shout: “White smoke! White smoke! Habemus Papam!”, but it’s certain that, with hearts united in all the prayers we offer, we already love him!
