What makes pope smoke

We now have a new pope. But what gives the conclave smoke, or the "fumata," its thick, distinctive coloring is a certain chemical mixture. Let's go back to high school chemistry class for a minute. According to the Vatican press office, the black smoke is produced by a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulphur.

The white smoke is a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose and a pine resin, also known as Greek pitch. Here's how it works: When the cardinals' ballots are cast and counted, the ballots are burned in a two-stove system. In cardinals solved this problem, for the most part, by substituting a small vial of chemicals for the wet or dry straw in order to produce the right color of smoke.

Pope John Paul II was not quite convinced of this solution and in , among other changes to the conclave, added the decree that the Vatican bells would ring when the new pope had been chosen. In , for the conclave that made Benedict pope, the Vatican tried something different: A second stove was installed that produces smoke from a chemical compound whipped up by the Vatican's own technicians.

The smoke from the burned ballots from the first stove and the colored smoke from the second stove were funneled up one pipe that leads to the chimney and the outside world. In following the conclave, it will be wise not just to keep your eyes open, but your ears as well: The bells of St. The smoke comes partly from the burning of ballot papers in a special stove in the chapel. But to colour it white or black, this smoke is mixed with that from chemical additives burnt in a second stove.

Traditionally the Vatican produced the different colours by burning wet straw for white and tarry pitch for black. Rather, the smoke in some previous elections came out an ambiguous grey, prompting the decision for the last conclave in to use a more reliable method based on chemical ingredients. The Vatican has now revealed what these are.

Black smoke cartridges contain potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulfur while the white smoke includes potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin, he said.

Lombardi was asked by members of the hundreds of reporters assembled in Rome if the enormous smoke puffs that emerged Tuesday afternoon harmed the restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel or the health of the voting cardinals inside. Facebook Twitter Email. Wait -- was that pink smoke over the Vatican?

Share your feedback to help improve our site!