YouTube Screenshot/ Associated Press
CV NEWS FEED // The world’s most famous chimney had millions of dollars of live TV equipment pointed right at it for the past two days, prompting worldwide curiosity about the eccentric ecclesial cylinder. Now, you too can be a Vatican chimney expert with these three interesting facts that few people know.
1. Dual-stove system ensures clear smoke signals
To eliminate confusion over smoke color during papal elections, the Vatican employs a dual-stove system within the Sistine Chapel. One stove burns the ballots, while the other contains chemical cartridges that produce either black or white smoke.
For white smoke, indicating a successful election, a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and Greek pitch is used.
Black smoke, signaling an inconclusive vote, is produced using potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur. These chemicals ensure that the smoke color is distinct and easily recognizable to onlookers.
This ensures that the smoke signals are unmistakable to the public waiting in St. Peter’s Square. The two stoves are connected to a single chimney, allowing the combined smoke to rise visibly above the chapel.
2. Firefighters and technicians collaborate on chimney installation
Firefighters are responsible for fitting the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, ensuring it’s securely attached to the flue system connected to the two stoves inside. Once installed, the chimney undergoes tests using colored smoke to ensure proper functionality before the conclave actually begins.
Including the chimney, techs also install an elevated floor to protect the chapel’s original mosaic pavement and to conceal modern equipment like cellphone jammers. The interior is also prepared with cherry wood chairs and tables covered in beige and bordeaux fabric for the cardinals.
3. Stove engraved with dates of past elections
The cast iron stove used to burn ballots during conclaves is engraved with the dates of past papal elections. This stove, first used in 1939 for the election of Pope Pius XII, has been employed in subsequent conclaves. The engravings serve as a historical record, marking each time the stove played a role in electing a new pope.
