Papal conclave ballots have been burned to maintain secrecy for centuries. Ballot smoke has been used to announce a decision since 1914.

In a tradition that scholars date to the 19th century, smoke released from a chimney will be colored white if the cardinals have made a decision, or black if they remain deadlocked.

There is no new Pope. Yet. Hours later than expected, black smoke was seen blowing out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on the end of the first day of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.