Vatican prepares for conclave with chimney and stove installation

Vatican City has been bustling with preparations for the upcoming papal conclave set to begin on May 7, 2025. Workers have installed a ceremonial chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, which will emit smoke signals indicating the outcome of the election of the next pope. This conclave will follow the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, marking it as a historic transition for the Roman Catholic Church. A total of 133 cardinals, the most ever, will participate in the voting process. They are expected to cast their votes in secret, requiring two-thirds majority support for a candidate to be elected as the new pope. Preparations have ensured that all logistics within the Sistine Chapel are set up accordingly, including the installation of a fire stove where the ballots will be incinerated after each round of voting. Both black smoke and white smoke will signal to the world whether a new pope has been chosen. The Vatican has seen a surge of activity with cardinal electors gathering for meetings and speeches, discussing the priorities and direction of the church as new leadership is sought. The anticipation and solemnity of this conclave reflect the significance of selecting the successor to Pope Francis, especially in a time when various global issues such as migration and conflict were brought up during the discussions by the cardinals. On May 7, the conclave will officially open with the cardinal electors taking an oath of secrecy, after which they will begin the voting process to elect the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Following a series of ballots, the votings will continue until a candidate secures enough support, with the activities conducted in the sacred and historic setting of the Sistine Chapel highlighting the traditional yet ever-evolving nature of the papal conclave.