Today, thanks to modern chemistry, the smoke is unmistakable—thick black billows for inconclusive votes, or a bright white plume when a new pope is elected. This article is republished from The ...

The Vatican’s cardinals gather in conclave today to begin electing the successor to the late Pope Francis—which means the world’s attention is on a chimney attached to the Sistine Chapel.

Larry Gonick's latest Cartoon Guide offers them a lifeboat. With Stanford professor Craig Criddle, he clearly explains … Booms and stinks are the fun parts of chemistry.

Pyrotechnic chemistry drives the Vatican’s recipes for the black and white smoke used to announce papal election outcomes. Skip to main content.

This week, 133 cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to elect a new leader of the Catholic church. During their deliberations, the only indications ...

It wasn't clear whether grey smoke was closer to black or white, for example. By the 1970s, the straw method had been abandoned in favor of more controllable chemical mixtures .

It wasn’t clear whether grey smoke was closer to black or white, for example. By the 1970s, the straw method had been abandoned in favour of more controllable chemical mixtures .

It wasn't clear whether grey smoke was closer to black or white, for example. By the 1970s, the straw method had been abandoned in favour of more controllable chemical mixtures .