Vatican Signals New Pope With Chimney Installation

A newly installed chimney now crowns the Sistine Chapel, signaling the imminent process of selecting the next leader of the Catholic Church. The installation, completed Friday, will be used to broadcast black smoke after each inconclusive ballot, and white smoke to announce the successful election of the 267th pope. This traditional method ensures the world will know when the cardinals have reached a decision, maintaining a centuries-old practice that blends religious significance with a clear public notification system. While the process itself is steeped in tradition, the visual cue remains a remarkably effective way to communicate a momentous event to a global audience, offering a tangible link between the ancient rituals within the Vatican and the modern world awaiting the announcement.