Once white smoke can be seen from the chimney, it signals to the public that the Roman Catholic Church has a new leader. The process relies on chemicals to produce the desired color.

Black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the conclave to elect a new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. Andrew Medichini/AP hide caption ...

Once white smoke can be seen from the chimney, it signals to the public that the Roman Catholic Church has a new leader. The process relies on chemicals to produce the desired color.

≽ Watch a livestream of the view of the chimney and front of the Vatican from USA TODAY below. Of interest: What New Yorkers should know about conclave to elect new leader of Roman Catholic Church ...

With each vote, they burn their ballots in a stove installed in the Sistine Chapel for this purpose. If black smoke plumes from the chimney, the cardinals aren’t in agreement and will need to vote ...

The chimney swifts "don't land; they don't perch," sanctuary program director Michelle Romans said. "They mate, they eat, they live their whole lives in flight or inside of a chimney. They're ...

Roman Catholic cardinals will begin electing a new pope on 12 March. Pope Benedict XVI stepped down last month after nearly eight years in office, becoming the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.

Firefighters place the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will gather to elect the new pope, at the Vatican, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ...