So Black Smoke is coming from the Vatican....

[usc90grad]

I know that means they haven't agreed on the new pope, but where did they get the idea for the white smoke/black smoke thing? It seems pretty goofy to me.

[Gamecocks321]

Black smoke means the "others" are coming.

[bertoholic]

Its probably because I withdrew my name from contention early this morning.

[markymark550]

Don't know for certain, but I would guess it has to do with the symbolism of the colors. White is often symbolic for goodness, purity, innocence, etc and they want that symbolism associated with the new pope. Again, just a guess there and coming from a Protestant that doesn't know a lot about the inner workings of the Catholic Church. And FWIW, I've never understood the reasoning for using smoke as a way of signaling the new pope...any insight on that would be great.

[stiffolcock]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

I know that means they haven't agreed on the new pope, but where did they get the idea for the white smoke/black smoke thing? It seems pretty goofy to me.

tradition can sometimes be goofy.

The fumata nera ("black smoke" in Italian) is the announcement to the outer world by a conclave that a Papal election wasn't decisive, by means of burning the ballots together with straw or chemicals to produce black smoke. A fumata bianca ("white smoke") announces the conclave is over because a Pope was elected. Both terms have permeated into Italian culture as political and journalistic jargon for, respectively, "non-decisive vote" and "final, decisive vote", and are widely used as cliches by the press.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumata_..._fumata_bianca

[Cheezy]

[USCBatgirl21]

In brief summary of the history...

Pope Pius X chose to have the ballots burned as votes were to remain secret, and burning was the best way to ensure secrecy.

The "colored" smoke was added in 1914 as simply a way to better signal what the burning of the ballots signified.

[usc90grad]

Maybe when Spurrier retires, we can do this when we name our next coach.

[warriorchief]

...who drove a Cummins into the Vatican?

[Sonofacock]

Originally Posted by warriorchief

...who drove a Cummins into the Vatican?

Every single priest

[spareparts]

Could we have a woman pope? Just think of the PR.

[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Could we have a woman pope? Just think of the PR.

At least the altar boys would be safe.

I kid, I kid.

[bigdawg77]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Could we have a woman pope? Just think of the PR.

There hasn't been a non-European Pope in 1500+ years so just having one from outside mainland Europe would be a huge deal.

[USCBatgirl21]

Originally Posted by bigdawg77

There hasn't been a non-European Pope in 1500+ years so just having one from outside mainland Europe would be a huge deal.

Of course there is also that little fact that women are not allowed in the pulpit in the Catholic Church.

[b381l]

The taters are saying their guy is leading.

[Ole Gregg]

at the last conclave the people outside could not tell whether the smoke was black or white. wonder if they have added more coloring agent this time around?

[bigdawg77]

Originally Posted by USCBatgirl21

Of course there is also that little fact that women are not allowed in the pulpit in the Catholic Church.

Yea that too I hope they pick the African or American guy just to watch the Euros go nuts

[USCBatgirl21]

Originally Posted by Ole Gregg

at the last conclave the people outside could not tell whether the smoke was black or white. wonder if they have added more coloring agent this time around?

It has been reported that they did fix that issue this time.

[JAYBEZ]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Could we have a woman pope? Just think of the PR.

Not going to happen. Pretty sure there isn't even a female cardinal. The Catholic Church doesn't really push for the variety of demographics.

[Gearhead]

I just pray he is a man that puts what the bible says first and foremost and not his own agenda.