Smokin' in the Vatican: No Smoke, No Pope Yet
Smoke ascending in Vatican, Pope selection still pending - Pope election process in stalemate; thick black smoke lingers over Vatican.
Get ready to sniff some smog, folks! The cardinal playoff for the big seat in the Catholic Church is heating up, and the aroma of the HolySee's smokestack is about to tell you whether a new Pope has been chosen or not.
The buzz has been going on since Wednesday afternoon, when the eligible cardinals marched into the Sistine Chapel, swore an oath, and sealed the deal. The first round of voting followed, but, alas, the old Pontiff didn't ride off into the sunset just yet.
That means this celebration of democracy, or Catholic-style elections, is back for round two on Thursday. Here's the drill: until the cardinals can agree on a new Peter, they'll keep on voting, and the defeated ballots will be tossed into the fireplace with a bit of secret sauce that'll make the smokestack belch out black smoke.
But when a new Pope is finally validated, the chimney will start billowing white smoke, and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica will ring out!
- Pope
- Conclave
- Catholic Church
- Vatican
- Pope Francis
- Easter Monday
- Sistine Chapel
- Smokestack
- Rome
Historical Note: The black smoke signifies the lack of a newly elected Pope during a conclave in the Vatican. It is a practical method of visually informing the public and the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square that the voting has not led to the election of a new Pope. When a new Pope is elected, a different chemical is used to create white smoke, which signifies the conclusion of the voting process and the selection of a new Pope.[1]
The cardinals are still in the Sistine Chapel, proceeding with the conclave under the watchful eye of the Catholic Church. As Easter Monday arrives, it is uncertain if a new Pope will be elected, as only black smoke has been emitting from the Vatican's smokestack. If a new Pope is chosen, it is tradition for the chimney to release white smoke, signaling the conclusion of the conclave and the selection of a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church, much like Pope Francis was selected.
