Welcome to the Vatican: Where Smoke Signals the Election of a New Pope
Step right up to witness the age-old tradition of electing a new pope in the Vatican. The anticipation is palpable as the chimney is mounted on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, ready to signal to the world the outcome of the conclave.
As the 133 cardinal-electors gather to cast their votes, the makeshift chimney stack stands tall, awaiting the burning of the ballots after each round of voting. The Vatican fire brigade is set to conduct trial runs to ensure a smooth process.
The cardinals will engage in multiple rounds of voting per day, with the goal of achieving a two-thirds majority for a candidate to be elected as the new pope. The suspense builds as the smoke from the chimney reveals the verdict of each round.
Ancient customs come to life as black smoke indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke accompanied by the ringing of the Vatican’s bells signifies the election of a new pontiff. The eyes of the world turn to St Peter’s Square to witness this historic moment.
The Sistine Chapel undergoes a transformation to serve as the sacred setting for the conclave, with a raised timber floor and wooden tables arranged for the cardinal-electors. The stage is set for the 267th pope to be chosen, leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
