Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has raised concerns over the symbolism used by the Catholic Church during papal elections particularly the tradition of using black smoke to signify an inconclusive vote.

In a video shared via his social media platform, the actor questioned the implications of associating the color black with failure, suggesting that such symbolism reinforces negative stereotypes with global cultural impact.

“When they fail, it’s black smoke. When they succeed, it’s white smoke,” Kanayo stated. “This has been ingrained in the minds of the world that black represents failure.”

Referring to the ongoing papal conclave at the Vatican, he pointed out that the appearance of black smoke was once again used to indicate that the cardinals had not yet elected a new pope. The actor expressed his hope that such traditions be reconsidered, advocating for more inclusive and thoughtful symbolism in global religious practices.

His comments have sparked a broader conversation online about symbolism, cultural narratives, and the need to reexamine longstanding traditions through a more modern and inclusive lens.