Will it be today? While 115 Cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to choose the next Pope, all eyes are on the special chimney erected on top of their meeting place, the Sistine Chapel. After each ballot, all the ballot papers are burned in a stove, which will emit black smoke if no majority has been reached, and white smoke if a new pontiff has been chosen. Because the colour of the smoke can sometimes be ambiguous, a bell also rings when white smoke is issued. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was chosen very quickly, in less than 24 hours. Last night a great cloud of black smoke was seen, signalling an inconclusive first vote – how many more rounds of ballot papers will be burned this time?