Black or white: What does smoking colors mean when a new pope is chosen

In the era of digital alert and global livestream, the Vatican continues to a sign of one of its most important decisions that date before centuries: a puff of smoke from a copper chimney on the cystine chapel. But the simple ritual that appears is a surprisingly complex chemistry text.
As 115 Cardinal-electric Gather secretly to choose the next pope, all the eyes of the chapel are fixed on the chimney. Black Smoke (Phumata Nera) means that the two-thirds majority to choose a new Pope have not reached 77 votes. White smoke (Phumata Bianka) indicates success. Nevertheless, for the visual and unclear of this symbolic act, the Vatican to modernize this process, to maintain its most sacred tradition towards science, said ABC News.
Bomb from wet straw to bomb
Historically, white smoke was made by burning wet straws, and burning black smoke by burning pitch or tar. But this created inconsistent results, equally confusing supervisors and media with vague gray smoke. Therefore in 2005, beyond the Banedict XVI selected Conclave, the Vatican introduced a second stove and a chemical method to ensure clarity.
Now, when ballots are burnt in the original cast-core stove, which is about 3 feet high and 19 inches wide. It triggers a smoke-producing device in another, modern stove. This device has a cartridge that is five chemical “charged”, which is loaded at a time. Fees produce smoke that lasts for about seven minutes, for this enough time is clearly viewed by the audience at St. Peter Square.
Chemical dishes detected
The Vatican has revealed the specific chemical cuisine used:
For black smoke: The BBC reported a mixture of potassium perclore, anthracene and sulfur.
Anthrexin obtained from coal tar, especially thick, black, is good in producing smoke. Although effective, it is also carcinogenic, which is why it is no longer used in fireworks performance.
Sulfur, a traditional ammunition component, burns easily and increases the density of smoke.
Potassium acts as a percolor oxidizer, supplying oxygen to maintain combustion.
For white smoke: A mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose (milk sugar), and rosine (pine resin, often used on violin bow).
These elements are safe and more environmentally friendly than options such as zinc dust or hexacloroathane, which can be toxic and are usually used in military-grade smoke bombs.
Although these mixtures may look exotic, they are essentially the formulas of famous fireworks, which are careful for visibility, safety and tradition.
Behind the curtain: engineering rituals
Both stoves are connected through a joint exhaust pipe that leads to the iconic chimney of the chapel. To ensure the successful presence of smoke, the fuel is electrically heated and supported by fans of the air to keep the plum stable and visible. The Vatican authorities have probably tested the process well to avoid the scenarios where large soaked flakes break into small people, potentially change black smoke in white midar, which is a known issue in the bonfire.
Why not more color?
While the current system is reliable and lies in centuries tradition, some observers cannot help but imagine the more colorful future. Rainbow colored smoke, such as air shows and military performances, is made by adding bright pigments or colors such as indigo and rhodamine.
Can beige smoke indicate a break? An adjacent decision amber? Burgundy a celebration? So far, the Vatican has opposed any such modern flourish. For now, the ritual remains a serious black or white relationship over the centuries of history protected by an accurately timed chemical reaction.
As the world wait for the next puff of smoke, it is worth remembering that the spectacle is more than just symbolic, it is also the victory of science in the service of tradition.