Conclave a historic moment for humanity says Vatican spokesman:
(March 13, 2013) The conclave of cardinals is a historic moment for all humanity,
said Vatican spokesman Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, in his briefing to the Press
on Wednesday. We are living a beautiful and intense moment that began with the
resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and we feel very emotional as we await the election
of a new pope, he said alluding also to the huge crowd of priests, nuns and people
filling St. Peter’s Square Wednesday morning, with eyes fixed on the chimney atop
Sistine Chapel chimney from which emits black smoke if the conclave result for a
new pope is negative, or white, if positive. Late Wednesday morning, thick black
billowed from the chimney, meaning the result was inconclusive, a repeat of Tuesday,
the first day when cardinal electors met in the Sistine chapel to elect a new pope.
After the stir caused by how much more distinct the black smoke in this conclave has
been compared to the past, a reporter asked what causes the black or white smoke.
Fr. Lombardi explained that a cartridge containing several chemicals is placed in
the stove with electronic ignition, which when burnt with straw and ballot papers
gives black or white smoke as required for some 7 minutes.