Comments on: Conclave smoke: a mystery recipe

By: Analog Kid

Analog Kid — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:41:00 +0000

Stupid mumbo-jumbo from a tired, old religion.

By: James Penrose

James Penrose — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:13:00 +0000

So it’s “Holy Smokes!” either way?

By: jeaguilar

jeaguilar — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:41:00 +0000

There are two stoves, a modern one where the colored chemicals are produced and an antique one where the ballots are burned.

There is a cartridge that contains 5 doses of the chemicals, released over the course of seven minutes, activated electronically within the modern stove.

The black smoke is made of: Potassium Perchlorate, Anthracene, Sulfur

The white smoke is made of: Potassium Chlorate, Lactose, Colophony (Greek pitch or rosin)

Source: http://www.radiovaticana.va/player/index_fb.asp?language=en&visualizzazione=VaticanTic&Tic=VA_1RI7BCTI (Briefing by Fr. Federico Lombardi, 03/13/2013, 1 p.m. CET, Starting at approximately 13:30)

By: Nash Rambler

Nash Rambler — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:53:00 +0000

*sniff sniff* What’s that smell? Sort of like a torch made out of old blankets and pepperoni?

By: Dlo Burns

Dlo Burns — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:25:00 +0000

For certain situations you need that artisanal old world charm.

By: Dlo Burns

Dlo Burns — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:22:00 +0000

I’m sure like most old men they were able to just peel chunks of skin off.

By: howaboutthisdangit

howaboutthisdangit — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:09:00 +0000

Maybe they’ll liven things up with a few sparklers, or a Roman candle propped up in the chimney.

By: oasisob1

oasisob1 — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:43:00 +0000

Did he? Have you [i]seen[/i] Benedict since they closed the conclave doors?

By: scrumz

scrumz — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:13:00 +0000

In times past, it was usually wet straw that was used to create the black smoke. The “black” is carbon particles. Any other smoke tends to be white already so there was no need to color it.

In 1958 there was some confusion because the smoke was gray… twice. This was remedied by using smoke bombs to confirm that there was, in fact, no pope yet. The same year, the Vatican also installed a small ringer that was triggered from inside the chamber of the cardinals and connected to vatican radio which could then confirm or deny the results as an official source.

In 1963 they used smoke flares from the italian army. In 1978, the first time, they “experimented” with magnesium, I believe, but ended up reverting to the smoke flares from the italian army once again the second time in 1978.

This is from memory, however. I do not recall what was used when benedict was elected but my guess would be the smoke flares again.

By: Culturedropout

Culturedropout — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 05:31:00 +0000

Don’t they burn the underpants of deflowered altar boys?

By: mikei

mikei — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:43:00 +0000

It isn’t smoke, it’s steam from the sauna. They make it black by adding a little bit of water from Silvio Berlusconi’s hot tub, harvested soon after a bunga bunga party (the blackness comes from hair dye and the tears of Lucifer, who weeps for the humanity). White means party’s over boys, time to go home.

By: walleye

walleye — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:20:00 +0000

1978 while attended elementary Roman Catholic school the Pope of that year died suddenly, Conclave was called at the Vatican. At our school an elaborate robed cleric visited and explained all about WHY conclave is called, and its importance. He mentioned the colour smoke meanings. No Pope. some color. Yes Pope. different color. I forget the colours, I suppose google would, but meh. D&D was a popular back then and he seemed like a dungeon character. Lawful Good Cleric, charisma 15. WareRobe 18+1-4d

By: Antinous / Moderator

Antinous / Moderator — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:00:00 +0000

I’m pretty sure that they used to use the old Pope, but Benedict fucked that up.

By: franko

franko — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:36:00 +0000

the whole thing is so weird and archaic. yes yes, tradition and all that, but come on — even santa uses twitter these days.

By: peregrinus

peregrinus — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:05:00 +0000

As an aside, are narcotics criminalised in the Vatican? Y’know, being its own country and all.

By: peregrinus

peregrinus — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:04:00 +0000

What? no they’re not.

They’re made of magicke holy stuff.

By: PhosPhorious

PhosPhorious — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:45:00 +0000

I too snerked. Papal Purple Nurple needs to be a thing. A real thing. Like now.

By: hancocks1

hancocks1 — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:57:00 +0000

At last, white smoke will emerge from the Vatican chimney, signifying that they have blown a head gasket.

By: Promethean Sky

Promethean Sky — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:53:00 +0000

The chemicals are made from elements. Who woulda thunk it?

By: anonymity86

anonymity86 — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:52:00 +0000

I was trying to find this out recently too! I found some facts and photos on this site: http://www.smokemachines.net/papal-smoke.shtml but not the actual chemicals used today

By: Dr P Fenderson

Dr P Fenderson — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:44:00 +0000

Papal Purple Nurple, or any other known strain of sweet-ass bud, is unfortunately not on the list.

I love you so much, Xeni. I definitely snerked.