Vatican Fire Brigade Installs Chimney for Papal Conclave

Conclave Chimney Installation

• 📸 Pictures show the Vatican Fire Brigade installing the famous chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel.
• 🗓️ This installation occurs five days before cardinals gather for the conclave to choose the next pope.

Voting and Smoke Signals

• 🔥 After every two rounds of voting in the Sistine Chapel, ballots are burned in a special furnace.
• ⚪ White smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen (habemus papam).
• 🟤 Black smoke indicates that a two-thirds consensus has not been reached.

Conclave Duration and Cardinal Influence

• ⏳ Historically, conclaves have taken 2-3 days, but this one could take longer.
• 🌍 Over 130 cardinals from around the world, including those from places like Mongolia and Papua New Guinea, are participating.
• 🗣️ Some cardinals may struggle to communicate due to language barriers, potentially extending the voting process.
• ❓ The extended duration and diverse cardinal base may lead to an unexpected papal candidate.