How the Vatican makes his smoke signal

When the Catholic Church chooses a new pope, the world does not look for a press conference or social media post, but for the rise of smoke from a small chimney on top of the Sixtine Chapel.

If the smoke is black, no new pope has been chosen. If it is white, a decision has been made: We have a pope – We have a pope. It is a high drama, to broadcast live to millions.

But what viewers do not see is the hidden complexity of the age -old ritual: the carefully built chimney, the manipulated stove and the precise chemical recipes, each part carefully designed to ensure that a smoke compartment is wearing a clear message.

Experts told the BBC that the process “two custom fireworks”, smoke test rehearsals and Vatican firefighters on stand -Bby requires. It is carefully organized by a team of engineers and church officials who work together.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday on the age of 88 and with the funeral now the attention is used to the conclave – a private meeting that will make a new pope chosen.

The Vatican has confirmed that on May 7 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinals will meet to celebrate a special mass before gathering in the Sixtine Chapel, where the complex mood will begin.

The tradition of burning the paper ballot papers of the cardinals dates from the 15th century and became part of conclave rituals aimed at guaranteeing transparency and the prevention of messages, especially after previous papal election delays had led to public frustration and unrest.

Over time, the Vatican started to use smoke as a way to communicate with the outside world while maintaining the strict confidentiality of the mood.

And today, despite countless progress in communication, the Vatican has chosen to retain tradition.

“Ancient times have seen rising smoke – from animal and grain sacrifices in the Bible, or from burning incense in tradition – as a form of human communication with the Divine,” said Candida Moss, a theology professor at the University of Birmingham, to the BBC.

“In the Catholic tradition ‘rise’ to God. The use of smoke evokes these religious rituals and the aesthetics of wonder and mystery that accompanies them.”

Prof. Moss also says that the rising smoke “enables people on the Peter’s Square” to take up, as if they were included in this mysterious and secret affair. “

The reasons are symbolic, but so it works in the 21st century, requires real engineering.

In the Sistine Chapel, two heaters are temporarily installed specifically for the conclave: one for burning ballot papers, the other to generate the smoke signals.

Both heaters are connected to a small smoke – A pipe in a chimney with which smoke can escape – which leads the roof out through the chapel. On Friday, firefighters were seen on the roof, where the chimney took care of the top in place, while workers founded scaffolding and built the stoves in it.

The Sixtine Chapel, which was built more than 500 years ago, is the home of one of the most famous ceilings in the world. Decorated with Michelangelo’s frescoes, it is not exactly designed for smoke signals and the chimney must be installed discreetly and safely.

It is a complex process. Technicians use an existing opening or make a temporary hatch, so that the smoke ducts – usually made from a metal such as iron or steel – is inserted. The pipe runs from the stoves to the outside and comes through the tile roof above St. Peter’s Square.

Each joint is sealed to prevent leaks and every component is tested. Specialists rehearse smoking tests in the days before the conclave starts, so that the chimney pulling works in real time. Even Vatican firefighters are involved; On stand -By in case of malfunction.

“This is such an accurate process, because if one thing goes wrong, it is not just a technical failure – it will be an international incident,” said Kevin Farlam, a structural engineer who has worked on Heritage Properties, to the BBC. “It’s not like putting a pipe on a pizza oven. Every part of the system must be installed without damaging anything.”

This setup is built days before the cardinals arrive and is dismantled once a pope is chosen.

To ensure that the signal is visible, Vatican technicians use a combination of chemical compounds.

“What they essentially build here are two adapted fireworks,” said Prof. Mark Lorch, head of the Chemistry and Biochemistry department at the University of Hull, at the BBC.

“For black smoke, a mix of potassium per chlorate, anthracene and sulfur is burned – which produces thick, dark smoke.

“For white smoke, a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose and pine sausage is used, which burns clean and pale.

“In the past they tried to burn damp straw to create a darker smoke and dry straw to make lighter smoke – but this caused some confusion because it sometimes seemed gray.”

He explained that these chemicals are “pre -packed in cartridges and are ignited electronically”, so there is no ambiguity.

The addition of Bell Ringing – introduced during the election of Pope Benedict XVI – now serves as a confirmation and is used in addition to the smoke signal.

Over the years there have been suggestions to modernize the system: colored lights, digital reports or even voices on television. But for the Vatican, the ritual is not only a communication tool – it is a moment of continuity with centuries of tradition.

“This is about tradition and secrecy, but it really benefits from it,” said Prof. Moss.

“Plus ‘Catholic Church’ and ‘Advanced’ are far from synonyms – innovation is almost antithetic for ritual.”