And once the election process for a new pope begins, gatherers will turn upward each day, waiting for black or white smoke to fill the sky. Francis died on Easter Monday , April 21. He was 88 ...

What black and white smoke means After the cardinals' votes are counted, the paper ballots are burned in a stove in the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke emerging from the chimney means the world's 1.4 ...

White and Black Smoke Meaning Explained. Burning cardinals' paper ballots dates back to the 15th century, when it was done to prevent tampering.