This week, 133 cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to elect a new leader of the Catholic church. During their ...

The Vatican’s cardinals gather in conclave today to begin electing the successor to the late Pope Francis—which means the ...

Pyrotechnic chemistry drives the Vatican’s recipes for the black and white smoke used to announce papal election outcomes ...

Rather than soot, the smoke contains microscopic droplets and fine solids that are transparent or white. The result is a ...

In 2013, the Vatican confirmed that their fumata recipes now consist of a clear black smoke recipe: potassium perchlorate ...

Tradition holds that black smoke indicates the cardinals have not yet agreed on a new leader, while white smoke signals that ...

Traditionally, malt was dried with hot air from the combustion of wood, coal or coke. But the heat of combustion allows ...

At that stage, the smoke diminishes and becomes much lighter. The result is a deliberately inefficient combustion reaction, producing a high volume of unburnt carbon particles. This abundance of ...

What is the science behind the smoke signals on the Sistine Chapel to announce if a new pope has been elected?

White smoke was seen emanating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a two-thirds vote has been reached to ...