For white smoke, a compound of the chemicals potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin (also known as Greek pitch) is used, ...

How does the Vatican make white smoke? - The outcome of the secretive papal election is announced through smoke, but how do they change its colour?

To avoid this sort of confusion, the cardinals and Vatican officials have tried a few different things to make the two smoke colors, and the election results, more foolproof. They tried smoke ...

Rather than soot, the smoke contains microscopic droplets and fine solids that are transparent or white. The result is a mixture of steam and white or light gray smoke that contrasts sharply with the ...

We explain how much time typically passes between the moment white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel and when the new Pope ...