Papal conclave: What causes the black and white smoke from the Sistine Chapel?

The Catholic faithful’s eyes are now set on a small chimney at the Sistine Chapel, waiting for the result of the papal conclave.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, the smoke that comes out from the chimney signifies the result of the voting by the cardinals. After they have been counted, their ballots are burned by individuals called scrutineers.

If black smoke comes out of the chimney, it signifies that no candidate has yet received the required two-thirds majority vote.

The black smoke is produced using a mixture of potassium perchlorate, sulfur, and anthracene, which is a chemical found in coal tar.

Meanwhile, white smoke announces that a new Pope has been elected. This is often accompanied by the exclamation "habemus papam!"

The eagerly awaited white smoke results from burning a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and pine resin or Greek pitch.

Three Filipino cardinals are part of the conclave to decide the next pope following the death of Pope Francis. They are Cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle, Pablo Virgilio David, and Jose Advincula. —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News