Announcing a New Shepherd - Smoke Signals from the Vatican
Smoke emerges from Vatican, signifying the selection of a new Pope. - Vatican Confirms New Pontiff - Smoke Signal from the Heart of Rome
Get the word - the brand new Pope has been announced by the Chief Deacon of the College of Cardinals, Dominique Mamberti. Reading aloud from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, he declares, "We've got ourselves a Pope!"
Crowds of devoted believers had assembled in St. Peter's Square, eager to witness the historic event. The conclave commenced on a Wednesday afternoon, with the cardinals marching their way into the Sistine Chapel, vowing an oath, and sealing the door behind them. The first round of voting began, followed by several more on the next day. Each time, billows of black smoke billowed, signaling that the Papal selection was still in progress. Following a successful election on the Thursday evening at 18:08, wisps of white smoke ascended.
This momentous conclave, featuring 133 eligible voters, marked the largest in the annals of the Catholic Church[1]. Normally, the number of eligible cardinals would not surpass 120, but Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, had appointed numerous new cardinals just a few months prior.
- Pope
- Vatican
- St. Peter's Basilica
- St. Peter's Square
- Dominique Mamberti
- Conclave
Glimpse of the Catholic Church's Time-Honored Tradition
When it comes to papal elections, tradition plays a significant role. A vital part of this centuries-old process is the use of smoke:
- Light Diffusion (Fumata Bianca): The appearance of white smoke indicates that a Pope has been chosen victoriously. This visual indication serves as a global message, signaling to the world that the cardinals have chosen the fresh leader of the Catholic Church.
- Dark Omens (Fumata Nera): Conversely, dark smoke symbolizes that no Pope has been elected yet, signaling that the process will continue until a choice is reached.
The colors are created through chemical concoctions: white smoke originates from potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin, as opposed to black smoke, which requires potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur[2]. These smoke signals maintain clarity as the world tunes in to learn the outcome.
- Dominique Mamberti, the Chief Deacon of the College of Cardinals, announced the election of the new Pope from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
- The first round of voting in the conclave held at St. Peter's Basilica resulted in billows of black smoke, signaling that the Papal selection was still in progress.
- Following a successful election, white smoke in St. Peter's Square over the Vatican signaled the worldwide announcement of the new Pope.
- The traditions of the Catholic Church, such as the use of smoke, played a significant role in the papal election process, with white smoke indicating a new Pope has been chosen and black smoke signifying the electoral process is ongoing.
