The Vatican is preparing for the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. A key part of this preparation is the installation of a stove in the Sistine Chapel, where ballots will be burned. This stove will play a crucial role in signaling the outcome of the voting process to millions around the world.
On Friday, members of the Vatican’s fire brigade were seen on the roof of the chapel, setting up the chimney that will be the center of attention during the conclave. A video released by the Holy See showed workers not only installing the stove but also creating a false floor in the chapel to ensure a level surface for the cardinals.
The conclave will begin on May 7, with 133 cardinals gathering to cast their votes. If they cannot agree on a candidate, black smoke will rise from the chimney, indicating that no decision has been made. This smoke will be produced by burning ballots along with potassium perchlorate anthracene, a coal tar component, and sulfur. Conversely, if a new pope is chosen, white smoke will emerge from the chimney, created by mixing ballots with potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin.
Preparations are extensive. Workers are setting up wooden tables where the cardinals will sit to vote. A ramp has been added for accessibility, and all electronic sensors in the chapel are being deactivated to protect its historic frescoes. Additionally, the windows of the Apostolic Palace facing the chapel will be blacked out to ensure privacy.
Silvio Screpanti, the engineer overseeing the preparations, mentioned that 80 seals will be placed around the area to keep outsiders away. On the morning of the conclave, a mass will be held in St. Peter’s Basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. After this service, the cardinals will be cut off from the outside world to ensure secrecy during their deliberations.
Once the voting begins, if no candidate receives the required two-thirds majority on the first ballot, the cardinals will return to their residences for the night and reconvene the next day for additional rounds of voting. The last conclave, which elected Pope Francis, concluded with white smoke appearing after the fifth ballot on March 13, 2013.
As the world watches, the Vatican is making final arrangements for this significant event in the Catholic Church’s history.