WHITE SMOKE: The Path to A New Pope explores humanity's most elaborate and secretive transfer of power - the death of a pope and the election of his successor. From the traditional three taps of a silver hammer on a pope's forehead to confirm death, to the burning of his ring, to the secret conversations that choose the next leader of one billion faithful, this series reveals the hidden rituals, ancient traditions, and behind-the-scenes drama of papal transition. Join us as we explore how the Catholic Church has perfected this sacred process over two thousand years, and what happens in those crucial days between popes when the throne of Saint Peter stands empty.