1939 Press Photo Sistine Chapel Site of Pope Selection by College of Cardinals

In Vatican City, the exterior of the Sistine Chapel shows the special pipe erected for the occasion of Pope selection, issuing black smoke to indicate the cardinals have been unable to decide on a new Vicar of Christ. The chimney, seen in upper background, is connected with a stove in the building where ballots cast by the cardinals are destroyed. If an agreement on a new Pontiff is not reached, ballots cast are burned with damp straw, giving off black smoke. Sending up white smoke indicates to watchers below that the new Pontiff sits on the throne of St. Peter.

Photo is dated 1939.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.