Sistine Chapel

White Smoke, Pope; Black Smoke, Nope: The Science Behind the Papal Conclave’s Most Watched Chimney

As the world watched in anticipation, all eyes were set on the small chimney above the Sistine Chapel, and a familiar ritual played out in the heart of the Vatican. After three unsuccessful votes, each followed by plumes of thick black smoke signalling "No," the papal conclave came to a...