Vatican Installs Sistine Chapel Chimney Ahead of May 7 Papal Conclave

Firefighters place the chimney on the roof of the Sistine chapel where the cardinals will gather to elect a new Pope

Preparations for the upcoming papal conclave intensified on Friday with the installation of the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, marking a major milestone in the process to elect a new pope following the anticipated end of Pope Francis’ tenure.

Vatican firefighters were observed placing the chimney on the roof of the iconic chapel, a traditional and symbolic component that signals to the world whether a new pontiff has been chosen. The installation comes just days ahead of the conclave scheduled for May 7, when eligible cardinals will cast their votes in secrecy to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

During the conclave, ballots are burned after every two rounds of voting. If a decision has not been reached, the ballots are burned with a chemical mixture that produces black smoke—made using potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulfur—indicating to the public that the cardinals remain undecided. If a new pope has been chosen, the ballots are combined with potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin to produce white smoke, the historic signal of a successful election.

Visitors admire the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Museums on the occasion of the museum's reopening, in Rome, May 3, 2021.

A similar scene unfolded on March 13, 2013, when white smoke emerged on the fifth ballot, and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was revealed as Pope Francis from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The installation of the chimney comes as cardinals continue their general congregations, a series of preparatory meetings designed to discuss the current state and future direction of the Church. These discussions include all cardinals, even those over 80 years old who are not eligible to vote in the conclave itself. Topics discussed have ranged from the Vatican’s urgent financial challenges to broader reflections on Pope Francis’ leadership and areas requiring reform or continuity.

As the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics await the election of their new spiritual leader, the atmosphere in the Vatican has become increasingly focused and reflective, with many hoping for a pope who can guide the Church through its contemporary challenges with wisdom, unity, and renewed energy.