Tradition holds that black smoke indicates the cardinals have not yet agreed on a new leader, while white smoke signals that a new pope has been elected. But what kind of smoke is it exactly?

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 6:08 p.m.) — Black smoke rose once again from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at around 5:50 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 (PST), marking a second and third failed vote ...

The article below predates that decisive vote by the cardinals. Black smoke was seen wafting from a chimney on Thursday above the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the 133 Catholic cardinal electors ...

Black smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signals that cardinals failed to elect a new pope during their conclave in the Vatican on May 8, 2025. AP Black smoke appeared from a ...

Black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday and again Thursday morning indicated that a new pope had not yet been chosen to replace Pope Francis. Using smoke to communicate to ...

Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday evening, indicating no pope was chosen as cardinals began their sacred task to succeed Pope Francis. Thousands gathered in St Peter ...

Black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the cardinals' failure to elect a new pope on their initial ballot. The 133 cardinals, sequestered in Vatican City, couldn't reach the ...

MANILA, Philippines — Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday (Manila time), which means that no pope was elected in the first round of the conclave. The smoke billowed from ...

VATICAN CITY — Black smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on the first ballot of the conclave to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church.

Black smoke filled the Vatican after the large wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City were closed, signifying that a new Pope is yet to be elected. Voting started yesterday ...

Black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday and again Thursday morning indicated that a new pope had not yet been chosen to replace Pope Francis. Using smoke to communicate to ...

Tradition holds that black smoke indicates the cardinals have not yet agreed on a new leader, while white smoke signals that a new Pope has been elected. But what kind of smoke is it exactly?