Phony Floor, Stove Aid Papal Selection

The stove traditionally used at
the Sistine Chapel to burn ballots

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The cardinals will convene at the Sistine Chapel on Monday to select a new pope. Following tradition, their ballots will be burned in a stove within the church. If white smoke comes out, it signals that a new pope has been chosen, while black smoke signifies that a conclusion hasn't yet been reached. But to avoid the possibility of meaningless gray smoke the Vatican has built a technological solution. In fact, Monday's stove trick will be all smoke and mirrors:

The stove, in fact, is a two-part device: one a cast-iron chamber where the ballots are burned and the other a container where canisters of chemicals are inserted to make the smoke white or black. The container has a big red "start" button and an electric blower to ensure the smoke rises from the chimney.

This Guardian article goes on to show that the stove won't be the only trickery at the upcoming historical event. The cardinals will conduct their deliberations atop a raised false floor, beneath which is housed electronic jamming devices to prevent spying.