The Vatican took a symbolic and practical step on Friday by installing a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling final preparations for the highly anticipated papal conclave set to begin on May 7. This centuries-old tradition plays a key role in announcing the outcome of the secretive process to elect the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The chimney will be the world’s visual cue to the decisions made within the chapel’s walls: black smoke signals an inconclusive vote, while white smoke heralds the election of a new pope. The signal rises from a stove inside the chapel, where ballot papers are burned at the conclusion of each voting session, according to Vatican news.
This conclave comes after the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88, marking the end of an era and initiating the complex process of choosing his successor.
A total of 135 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, but only 133 will participate in the conclave. These cardinal electors, hailing from every corner of the globe, have already begun arriving in Rome to prepare for the solemn proceedings.
The conclave will begin with a single vote on the first day. Starting on the second day, the process intensifies, with up to four votes held daily—two in the morning and two in the evening. A candidate must receive a two-thirds majority, or at least 89 votes, to be declared pope.
If no consensus is reached during a voting session, the ballots are burned, and black smoke emerges. If a pope is elected in the first round of either the morning or afternoon session, white smoke will rise immediately to announce the decision. If no candidate is elected on the first ballot of a session, a second round follows, but the ballots are not burned until that vote concludes.
Should the cardinals fail to elect a new pope after three days, the voting is paused for a day of prayer and reflection before resuming. This pattern continues until a final decision is reached.
The conclave, one of the most solemn and secretive rituals in the Catholic Church, has captivated the attention of millions worldwide. All eyes now turn to the chimney above the Sistine Chapel as the Church prepares for one of its most significant moments in history.
