Over the years, the conclave has used different methods to create black and white smoke. After some confusion in past conclaves, including in 1958, when smoke first appeared white and then became ...

Pope Leo XIV, the first American leader of the Catholic Church ... were added to produce either black smoke—indicating no pope has been elected—or white smoke—meaning a pope was been ...

As the papal conclave continues, onlookers from around the world will watch for smoke in Vatican City, eager for the first update on who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. On the ...