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Coverage dated May 6, 2025

White smoke meaning explained: Understanding papal conclave's chapel signal

Headline from Newsweek

Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel's chimney on Wednesday, signaling that the College of Cardinals had not elected a pope.

Newsweek's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

8 articles, oldest first.

  1. Foxla

    White smoke vs. black smoke: What it means for the pope (opens Foxla)

    Published

    Foxla's feed description

    Following Pope Francis’ death, the Vatican begins the conclave to elect a new pope, with smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel marking the votes.

  2. Newsweek

    White smoke meaning explained: Understanding papal conclave's chapel signal (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel's chimney on Wednesday, signaling that the College of Cardinals had not elected a pope.

  3. The Conversation US

    Conclave: the chemistry behind the black and white smoke (opens The Conversation US)

    Published

    The Conversation US's feed description

    In 2013, the Vatican released their recipes for conclave smoke.

  4. ZME Science

    Black smoke, no pope. But what's the chemistry behind the Vatican's white/black smoke? (opens ZME Science)

    Published

    ZME Science's feed description

    No decision just yet.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.