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.

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.

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.

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.

If the smoke is black, it means the vote wasn't conclusive. If the smoke is white, it means a new pope has been selected by a two-thirds majority.

In a tradition that scholars date to the 19th century, smoke released from a chimney will be colored white if the cardinals have made a decision, or black if they remain deadlocked.

Black smoke appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday, signaling that cardinals meeting in a secret conclave did not elect a new pope during their two morning ballots.

Black smoke has billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney after the first round of voting by the College of Cardinals, indicating a new pope has yet to be elected. Primary Menu Sections.

Black smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday evening, signaling an inconclusive first vote by cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in a conclave to elect a new pope.