Vatican Releases Black and White Smoke Recipes
- 11 years ago
Vatican releases black and white smoke recipes.
The Vatican has released the list of ingredients that are mixed to create the white and black smoke used symbolically during the election of a new pope.
The white smoke used to announce the election of a new pope, is made up of a mixture of rosin collected from pine trees, potassium chlorate, and lactose, which is used an a flammable fuel.
The black smoke used to signify that the election of the new pope has not been decided is created by mixing potassium perchlorate, and anthracene, along with sulfur as an ignitable fuel.
The chimney at the Sistine chapel is connected to two ovens; one with the mixture of colored smoke ingredients, and another used to burn the pope election ballots.
The smoke mixes together and is released through the chapel roof where it is visible to onlookers in Saint Peter’s Square.
In 2005, the Vatican started using chemicals to color the smoke.
According to a Vatican press release, prior to that they used pitch to create black smoke, and wet straw to make white smoke.
The Vatican has released the list of ingredients that are mixed to create the white and black smoke used symbolically during the election of a new pope.
The white smoke used to announce the election of a new pope, is made up of a mixture of rosin collected from pine trees, potassium chlorate, and lactose, which is used an a flammable fuel.
The black smoke used to signify that the election of the new pope has not been decided is created by mixing potassium perchlorate, and anthracene, along with sulfur as an ignitable fuel.
The chimney at the Sistine chapel is connected to two ovens; one with the mixture of colored smoke ingredients, and another used to burn the pope election ballots.
The smoke mixes together and is released through the chapel roof where it is visible to onlookers in Saint Peter’s Square.
In 2005, the Vatican started using chemicals to color the smoke.
According to a Vatican press release, prior to that they used pitch to create black smoke, and wet straw to make white smoke.