Details on how conclave smoke is made

VATICAN CITY -- If you have ever wondered how exactly they make the black smoke at the conclave, ABC57 has the answer for you.

Black smoke signals that no pope has been elected and while Wednesday afternoon we saw white smoke, we found out how the smoke is made.

The smoke comes from two furnaces set up in the Sistine Chapel. They are exclusively for the vote.

Chemicals are added to make the color of the smoke to make it more obvious.

"To produce the black smoke we have colored potassium, untracina- it’s very powerful, and zolfol- zinc. The white smoke is produced by potassium chloride, lactose and chloroform," said Father Thomas Rosica.

To help clarify that the smoke is white, the Vatican church bells ring to celebrate the election.