Works in the Chapel, furnace installation
In the Sistine Chapel, tables, platforms are being set up, and a place is being prepared for the urn into which the cardinals will cast their votes. The floor has been covered with a wooden floor.
On Friday, a chimney was installed on the Sistine Chapel, from which white or black smoke will appear, depending on whether a new pope is elected after the vote or not.
A stove was also installed, in which the ballots from the conclave will be burned, as well as a second one – connected to the chimney – in which smoke bombs are burned. Depending on whether an election has taken place or not, bombs emitting white or black smoke are burned.
Observing the smoke
Cardinals will solemnly enter the conclave on May 7 at 4:30 PM. First, they will listen to a conference by the former preacher of the Papal Household, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap, after which only the cardinal electors will remain in the Chapel and proceed to elect the pope.
The first vote will take place that same afternoon. If a pope is not elected then, the next day – and on subsequent days – two votes are scheduled before noon and two in the afternoon. Traditionally, at these times, many faithful gather in front of the Vatican and observe what smoke emerges from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel.
