The white smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicates the election of a new pope, a symbolic event for the Catholic Church. This process, crucially linked to the conclave where cardinals gather to elect their new leader, has historical roots that trace back to the 13th century. The conclave was instituted to prevent extended vacancies, an issue that arose when cardinals struggled to agree on a new pope for nearly three years. The election process is marked by the burning of ballots, with the camerlengo declaring the death of the pope before the conclave begins.
The white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen, a moment celebrated by 1.4 billion Catholics, signaling a momentous change in the Vatican.
Behind the scenes, a mysterious and intensely dramatic process culminates in that smoke, literally created by burning the ballots of the cardinals.
In 1268, the Church went nearly three years without a pontiff due to a deadlock, leading to the adoption of strict conclave rules to prevent future delays.
The camerlengo, or chamberlain, plays a crucial role, declaring the pope's death and overseeing the transition, as cardinals prepare for a vital conclave.
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