How is Conclave smoke done? Few know it, but the election of the replacement of Pope Francis involves the object used to kill insects in the result

How is Conclave smoke done? Few know it, but the election of the replacement of Pope Francis involves the object used to kill insects in the result


Technology, faith and a touch of chemistry: see how the famous smoke in concert is made in the Vatican.




With the death of Pope FrancisAt the age of 88, a victim of a stroke followed by heart failureThe eyes of the world come back to the Vatican. But in addition to expectations for a new pontiffThere is a detail that always intrigues faithful and curious: how is the famous smoke that announces if the cardinals have reached (or not) a name?

Spoiler: it’s not just the burning paper, no. And one of the main ingredients of this millenary tradition Once it was, and stopped, used to frighten the moths and insects. Yes, we’re talking about Naphalina, my people!

The most awaited symbol of the Conclave

During The conclusion process, an ultra-segrere process that elects the new leader of the Catholic Church – The cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote. After each vote, a smoke arises from the fireplace: black, if there is still no consensus; White, when a new pope is chosen.

But since 2005, the system has changed. Given the difficulties with the visibility of traditional smoke (a mixture of paper and wet straw that has not always worked well), the Vatican has decided to invest in technology: today the signal comes from an electronic system with pyrotechnic cartridges, according to the G1 portal.

Science, faith … and chemistry

The current solution provides for a precise chemical formula. To create the visual effect, two main components are used:

  • Lactose, milk sugar, which when decomposing heat releases particles of light, reflecting the light and forming white smoke;
  • NAFTALINA, a solid aromatic hydrocarburo – the same used in the balls to amaze in …
  • See more

Related materials

Few people know it, but Pope Francis and Andressa Urach have an unusual and shocking similarity involving night clubs

Few people know it, but Pope Francis made a crucial decision on the conclave when he is accused of a serious crime during a dictatorship in Argentina

“I felt a lot of pain”: few people know it, but Pope Francis, at 21, lost part of his right lung and had a “cruel surgery”

Carnival with fixed date in 2026? Pope Francis proposed the modification of the date and few people know it

Few people know it, but Pope Francis had a very different job from a young man and years before entering the church

Source: Terra

You may also like