The papal conclave to elect a new pope will begin on May 7 in Vatican City, with 135 cardinals gathering to cast their votes. This conclave is particularly significant as it follows Pope Francis, who is stepping down. The results of the voting will be communicated to the public via smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney: black smoke indicates a failed election, while white smoke signifies that a new pope has been selected.
The cardinals, secluded from the outside world, will vote in secret after discussing the challenges facing the Catholic Church. If no candidate receives the required two-thirds majority, the voting process will continue, potentially resulting in multiple rounds of voting. Historically, conclaves have varied in length; the longest lasted 34 months, while Pope Francis was elected the day after voting commenced in 2013.
The black and white smoke results from burning the ballots mixed with specific chemicals. For black smoke, a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur is used, whereas white smoke is produced with potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin. The first smoke signal of this conclave is expected around 7-8 p.m. local time on May 7. If a decision isn’t reached, additional votes will follow, with subsequent smoke signals occurring throughout the day.
Once a candidate is chosen, he will be announced from St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the formal end of the conclave and the beginning of his papacy.
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