{"id":122622,"date":"2025-04-21T20:26:54","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T20:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/when-will-cable-news-begin-24-7-monitoring-for-white-smoke\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T20:26:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T20:26:54","slug":"when-will-cable-news-begin-24-7-monitoring-for-white-smoke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/when-will-cable-news-begin-24-7-monitoring-for-white-smoke\/","title":{"rendered":"When Will Cable News Begin 24\/7 Monitoring for White Smoke?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is the duration of the mourning period following the death of a pope? How long does it take for a conclave to officially commence after a pope’s passing? What are the key differences between black smoke and white smoke during a conclave? Who was the unexpected choice for pope after Benedict XVI, and why was this surprising? What lessons can be learned about predicting the next pope based on recent history?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pope Francis, the first Latin-American pope, died on Easter Monday. Don\u2019t bother lighting a candle in wait for a replacement (in mourning it is, of course, good practice) \u2014 the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church will not be announced for several weeks. <\/p>\n

When a pope dies, there is a built-in mourning period of 15-20 days. OK, so technically the mourning period is nine days long, but it does not officially begin until four to six days after the pope\u2019s passing, which is when the body is moved to St. Peter\u2019s Basilica so the public can pay their respects. Burial comes later.<\/p>\n

A conclave of the College of Cardinals to select a new pope can commence immediately after those roughly two to three weeks. (Only cardinals under 80 years old, known as the cardinal electors, can participate and vote.) <\/p>\n

Conclaves historically have lasted anywhere from a few days to a few months. In modern times, they\u2019ve mostly taken less than four days, and the lengthiest conclave in the 20th century met for just five days. Once a decision is made, the new representative of God on Earth (for Roman Catholics, at least) is announced. Nobody was ready for what happened last time.<\/p>\n

Francis\u2019 predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, resigned the post on February 28, 2013. The resignation was only semi-sudden: Pope Benedict XVI announced his decision on February 11, 2013, citing a \u201clack of strength of mind and body\u201d due to age. He was 86; he\u2019d live to be 95.<\/p>\n

It was weird. Pope Benedict XVI was the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so without external pressure since Celestine V in 1294. It sounds like there may have been at least internal pressure, however. Leaked documents later chronicled a power struggle within the Vatican.<\/p>\n

So there was no mourning-mourning Benedict, but the conclave to replace him didn\u2019t begin for nearly two weeks anyway. At least not officially, because just over 24 hours into the March conclave, white smoke came pouring out of the Sistine Chapel\u2019s chimney \u2014 the universal sign for we\u2019ve got a new pope.<\/p>\n

Well, that\u2019s not entirely correct. At first, black smoke came out \u2014 you can imagine how confusing that was for producers, anchors and correspondents trying to cover the moment live. They had already seen five separate emissions of black smoke \u2014 one for each failed vote. But this time was different. The black smoke soon turned to white; perhaps the Sistine Chapel just needed a good chimney sweep.<\/p>\n

(Black smoke, created by simply burning the ballots with a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene and sulfur, signifies the cardinals could not reach a two-thirds consensus on a new pope. White smoke, the chemical combination of potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin, means it\u2019s go time.)<\/p>\n

And go, go, go did everyone have to\u2026 go. Reporters scrambled and Romans ran.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were on the platform at the end of the Via della Conciliazione, which is the street that looks directly at the Vatican. All the reporters asked: \u2018Is that white smoke? Is that white smoke?\u2019 Because nobody wants to be the first to be wrong,\u201d Fox News Channel\u2019s chief religion correspondent Lauren Green recalled in a Monday conversation with The Hollywood Reporter. \u201cThe next reaction was, \u2018Oh my goodness, that was so fast.\u2019 And then the next thing I remember seeing were people running, just Italians running to St. Peter\u2019s Square because they knew within minutes the new pope would appear on the loggia.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of those in the race was Ben Wedeman, CNN\u2019s senior international correspondent based in Rome. Hey, everyone else was doing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we saw \u2014 and I\u2019d never seen this before \u2014 was a lot of people from the surrounding residential neighborhoods here in Rome also running\u2026 toward the square,\u201d Wedeman told THR. \u201cAnd when the announcement was Jorge Bergoglio, I looked at my cameraman, Alessandro Gentile, and our producer, Caroline Paterson, and we all said to one another, \u2018Who\u2019s that?!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh, right \u2014 there were two surprises that day. <\/p>\n

Bergoglio, who later took on the name Francis, wasn\u2019t on anyone\u2019s short list to replace Pope Benedict XVI.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere had been much speculation about who might be elected pope, but this was not one of the names of the so-called papabile or the ‘pope-able’ people,\u201d Wedeman said.<\/p>\n

Even the leaked names were wrong, Green said. (Yes, cardinals have cell phones and they leak info to the press \u2014 they\u2019re \u201chuman beings,\u201d after all, as Green reminded us.)<\/p>\n

Green sees the next conclave lasting just \u201ca couple of days.\u201d While she doesn\u2019t have a frontrunner per se, Green is \u201clooking\u201d at Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state. As Francis\u2019 right hand, Parolin makes the most sense, but if any lesson is to be taken from March 13, 2013, it\u2019s that our next pope could be practically anybody.<\/p>\n

When Will Cable News Turn to 24\/7 White-Smoke Watch?<\/h3>\n

In an age where news cycles shift as rapidly as the news itself, the question arises: what will it take for cable news to focus its coverage entirely on the next major political event\u2014a scenario reminiscent of the Vatican\u2019s tradition of signaling the election of a new pope with the iconic white smoke? Such a spectacle may seem far-fetched at first glance, but with the rising polarization in American politics and an insatiable appetite for news, the notion of a "24\/7 White-Smoke Watch" warrants discussion.<\/p>\n

The Modern News Cycle<\/h4>\n

To understand this concept, we must first delve into the current state of cable news. News networks have increasingly evolved into entertainment channels, with political commentary serving as their prime commodity. Programs often pivot away from rigorous reporting to maintain audience engagement through sensationalism, partisan discourse, and celebrity-driven narratives. This shift has given rise to a culture where viewers crave constant updates\u2014a thirst that can only be quenched by relentless coverage of unfolding events.<\/p>\n

Consider the way cable networks have approached major breaking stories. Whether it\u2019s the unprecedented impeachment trials of former President Donald Trump or the nationwide social movements ignited by the Black Lives Matter protests, audiences are glued to their screens, wanting to be the first to know. The challenge is not merely covering significant events but creating a sense of urgency and drama that compels individuals to keep watching.<\/p>\n

The Vatican\u2019s white smoke, signaling the election of a new pope, captures this urgency beautifully. The phenomenon of watching and waiting for an indicator of great change draws crowds\u2014both physically in St. Peter\u2019s Square and virtually through digital platforms. Could cable news adapt for a similar scenario, focusing hyper-intently on a specific, significant political event like the relinquishing or assumption of power?<\/p>\n

The Next Major Political Event<\/h4>\n

A moment akin to the election of a pope in American politics could arise at various junctures. The next presidential election in 2024 is one such moment. With the potential for multiple high-profile candidates and the looming questions of election integrity, voter turnout, and partisan tensions, it may very well become a scenario worth monitoring continuously.<\/p>\n

Another potential event could be the expected Supreme Court nomination battles resulting from the death or retirement of a sitting justice. Justice replacement has historically been a source of immense contention and public interest, often captivating audiences just as eagerly as a papal conclave.<\/p>\n

Instant Gratification from Social Media<\/h4>\n

The role of social media plays a crucial part in shaping how we consume news and influence cable news strategies. News is delivered to us in real-time, 140 characters at a time, allowing audiences to weigh in, comment, and share before they even hear the full story. The immediacy of platforms like Twitter and TikTok reshapes our expectations, creating an urgency that traditional news outlets, like cable networks, must adapt to in order to remain relevant.<\/p>\n

The firestorm of information can easily drown out critical reporting, leading to confusion or a sheer inability to digest complex issues. Nevertheless, this cycle of granularity feeds the desire for a more constant and focused platform\u2014akin to a "White-Smoke Watch," where viewers tune in not just for commentary but for constant updates on the latest developments regarding political transitions.<\/p>\n

The Risks of Continuous Coverage<\/h4>\n

However, the idea of maintaining a 24\/7 watch on a specific event does not come without risks. The commodification of news can lead to sensationalism, impacting the quality of journalism. Constant coverage can yield a loss of perspective as reporters and pundits chase fleeting moments of drama rather than providing informed insights into underlying issues.<\/p>\n

The relentless drumbeat of coverage can also foster a siege mentality among audiences, creating echo chambers that deepen divisive sentiments. A 24\/7 watch for a single event might fill news cycles but risks overwhelming viewers with anxiety or misinformation.<\/p>\n

The Potential Shift<\/h4>\n

So, will cable news inevitably turn to a 24\/7 White-Smoke Watch? Perhaps not entirely in the same sense as the Vatican but in practice, it is not far-fetched to envision a scenario where major political events command constant attention. The demand for political knowledge is ever-increasing, helping justify around-the-clock coverage of pivotal moments.<\/p>\n

As political tensions continue to rise and stakes become higher in the upcoming electoral landscape, we may find networks transitioning their programming to fit this new reality. With audiences craving clarity and insight across the ever-complicated terrain of political developments, finding ways to distill this information in real-time may indeed usher in a new era of cable news focused intensely on the most critical moments of our political landscape.<\/p>\n

In that regard, the question is not if cable news will adapt to a 24\/7 White-Smoke Watch but rather when and how it will shape our understanding of democracy as it unfolds in front of our eyes. It could redefine not only how we consume news but how we engage with the political process itself.<\/p>\n

Cable news networks have long thrived on covering breaking news and developing stories, often shifting their focus based on the latest events. The phrase “24\/7 White-Smoke Watch” evokes a sense of continuous coverage similar to how these networks operate during significant events like elections, natural disasters, or major political developments.<\/p>\n

The term “white smoke” specifically refers to the signal from the Vatican indicating the election of a new pope. It symbolizes a moment of high interest and anticipation, producing a media frenzy. Given the nature of cable news, it\u2019s likely that any significant event or moment of national or global interest can spark round-the-clock reporting, especially when the audience is engaged.<\/p>\n

As news cycles evolve with advances in technology and changing viewer preferences, it is plausible that cable news will continue to adapt their coverage strategies, capitalizing on events that draw public intrigue and participation. With heightened competition from various media outlets, including social media platforms, cable news may increasingly rely on permanent “watch” modes for high-stakes events that capture the public’s imagination.<\/p>\n

Tm-En-6<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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