Those smoke signals of the Papal Conclave have changed completely. What used to be the easy, even ostentatious, byproduct of burning the ballots has turned into a highly technical communication tool. This evolution reflects our dedication to transparency. It seeks to capably deliver the conclave’s result to the ripe world beyond that awaits news of the outcome with bated breath. This tradition goes back at least to the 15th century. Now, it depends on a very intimate and specific set of human-created signaling pathways and/or chemical mixtures, specifically those that produce signals nearly anyone can interpret.
The Vatican’s smoke signals are essential to understanding the process when a new pope is elected. This tradition will be on full display come 2025 when 133 cardinals next meet for the next conclave. As they cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel, both black and white smoke will serve as the means of announcing their decision.
Historical Context of Papal Conclave Smoke Signals
The practice of using smoke to signal the outcome of a papal conclave has a long deep history. For centuries, Cardinals have incinerated their ballot papers to keep their votes secret and preserve the purity of the voting procedure. This tradition started as far back as the 15th century. It meant that nobody would hear anything that escaped during the secretive behind-closed-doors negotiations.
Not until the 18th century could anyone outside of the Sistine Chapel actually see the smoke signals. Until then, these signals were inaccessible to them. This alteration allowed the public to witness the story of the election as it unfolded in real time. It served to reinforce the ties of the Church with its members. Smoke visibility was a key factor in the political process. It indicated if a new pope had been chosen, or if further balloting was necessary.
The Transformation of Smoke Production
The creation of smoke signals also experienced a dramatic shift during the second half of the 20th century. At first, the cardinals burned straw to produce the smoke color, but this method was too erratic and hard to manage. By the 1970s, the Vatican adopted a more reliable method involving specific chemical mixtures that could consistently produce the desired smoke signals.
Making a modern Vatican fumata Today, the Vatican’s fumata recipes call for a specific formula of chemicals. For the black smoke that represents ill-advised non-majority votes, the formulation is potassium perchlorate (KClO₄), anthracene, and sulfur. Potassium perchlorate serves as the oxidizing agent, releasing oxygen that is needed for combustion. Anthracene, a byproduct of coal tar, is a heavy fuel that generates black smoke soot. Sulfur is added as an accelerator to control burn rate and temperature, creating the proper billowy smoke.
When each new pope is elected, a dramatic all white plume of smoke signals the choice from the chapel’s chimney. This unmistakable signal, or fumata bianca, indeed heralds an extraordinary day in the life of the Catholic Church and its loyal adherents around the world.
Technical Aspects and Future Implications
The Vatican has assured us all that their procedures for making smoke signals are time honored. They’ve tuned these techniques with the principles of science. The chimney protruding from the roof of the Sistine Chapel shoots smoke puffing into the atmosphere. This makes it possible for bystanders to see the result in real-time.
No doubt, as technology advances, we’ll see new ways of producing and communicating these signals. The use of smoke as a symbol is a time-honored one. It links time-honored practices with modern expectations around transparency and open communication.
