At 12:09 p.m. Eastern 6:09 p.m. Vatican time, on May 8, white smoke rose from the chimney of ... After being elected, the new pope was led to the Room of Tears to don the papal garments.

But if there is a winner, the burning ballots are mixed with potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin to produce the white smoke. Bells also are rung to further signal there is a new pope.

Votes are cast by cardinals, senior members of the Catholic Church who advise the pope and are often seen in red. Only cardinals ... What does white smoke coming out of the Vatican mean?

Crowds in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City erupted in cheers as white smoke rose from the Sistine ... Roman Catholic Church to emerge onto the red-draped balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica ...

Black smoke means no pope yet; white smoke signals a new pope has been ... in what is called a "conclave," a Latin word meaning "a room that can be locked up," or, more simply, "a closed room." ...

On Thursday, May 8, white smoke billowed from the Sistine ... to the world just yet — the new pope will be ushered to the Room of Tears, near the Sistine Chapel, where he will wear the papal ...