Vatican chimney ready for papal vote

VATICAN CITY, March 9 (UPI) -- The historic chimney was installed at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel Saturday in preparation for the upcoming conclave where a new pope will be selected.

A work crew also brought in the two stoves used for the traditional smoke signal that alerts onlookers outside that a new pontiff has been chosen by the Roman Catholic cardinals meeting in the chapel.

CNN said a spotlight was also in the plans so people can see the smoke puffs.

Dark smoke means the vote did not produce a winner and the discussions will continue. But white smoke indicates the conclave agreed to a successor to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

The smoke is symbolic of the burning of the secret ballot submitted by the cardinals.

Another formality carried out before the conclave begins Tuesday was the destruction of the papal seal and Fisherman's Ring belonging to Benedict. The new pope will have a unique ring and seal created.