Here's how the conclave creates black and white smoke and why the Catholic Church began using them to signal whether a new pope has been elected.

Ballots are burned in the process, but the smoke seen by the world is created using another stove, the Vatican Information Service reported in 2013.

How long after white smoke will the new pope be named? In a process that could've taken weeks, months or even years, and has in the past, the new pope was chosen in the third round over two days.

Here's how the conclave creates black and white smoke and why the Catholic Church began using them to signal whether a new pope has been elected.

White smoke was seen pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the College of Cardinals has chosen a successor to Pope Francis.

The election for a new pope continues as black smoke above the Sistine Chapel signals that the cardinals have cast their votes without anyone receiving the required two-thirds majority.

Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Cardinals began the papal conclave at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to select a new pope after the death of Pope Francis. What does black smoke mean?

The conclave on Thursday elected a new pope after white smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel, but the new pope has not yet been publicly announced.

A successor to Pope Francis had been elected. But there will be a short wait before his identity becomes clear. By Elisabetta Povoledo Now that white smoke has finally billowed out of the chimney ...

Pope Francis's death sets an ancient machinery into motion. Soon, with a puff of smoke, the last absolute monarchy in Europe will get a new leader.

Black smoke indicates a non-conclusive answer, and white smoke indicates that a new pope has been selected. Here's what to know about the black and white smoke used during a papal conclave.