When a new pope is chosen, white smoke is released from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. This white smoke signals to the public that the cardinals have reached a two-thirds majority vote and a new pope has been elected. The white color is achieved by burning the ballots with specific chemicals to ensure the smoke is clearly white, symbolizing purity, unity, and the beginning of a new era in the Catholic Church

. If no candidate receives the required majority, black smoke is produced instead. Black smoke indicates that the voting is inconclusive and the cardinals must continue deliberating and voting. This black smoke is created by burning the ballots with a different chemical mixture to produce a distinct black color, signaling that the election is still ongoing

. Thus, the smoke colors serve as a traditional and symbolic communication method during the papal conclave:

• Black smoke: No pope elected yet, voting continues.
• White smoke: New pope elected and announced.