Black smoke emerging from the chimney means the world's 1.4 billion Catholics don't yet have a new pope. White smoke means the cardinals have chosen a new leader of the church.

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.

Black smoke indicates a non-conclusive answer, and white smoke indicates that a new pope has been selected. Here's what to know about the black and white smoke used during a papal conclave.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, U.S. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, on the central loggia balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, after being selected as pope at the conclave at the Vatican, May 8, 2025.

Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, left, and Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea are considered among the leading candidates to assume the papacy. (Photos by Richter Frank-Jurgen – CC BY-SA 2.0) ...

For white smoke, a compound of the chemicals potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin (also known as Greek pitch) is used, while potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur are used for the black ...