Conclave ballots and voting notes are destroyed in a stove placed in the Sistine Chapel . The Vatican has been under pressure to explain how it came about that Pope Benedict XVI was elected pope by cardinals who had not voted for him last year. White smoke means a pope has been elected , black means the ballot was inconclusive . John Paul II ordered that the bells of St. Peter 's should also be rung if a pope was elected .
Conclave ballots and voting notes are destroyed in a stove placed in the Sistine Chapel . Chemicals are added to color the smoke to signify whether the ballot has been successful . White smoke means a pope has been elected , black means the ballot was inconclusive . John Paul II ordered that the bells of St. Peter 's should also be rung if a pope was elected .