In brief
Three sea gulls, including a chick, became the unexpected stars of the Vatican conclave as they perched atop the Sistine Chapel and were likely the first to witness the white smoke announcing the election of Pope Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. Their antics drew media and social media attention, turning them into mascots of the conclave.
Three sea gulls, including a chick, have unintentionally become social media stars during the recent conclave at the Vatican, where Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV. Just before the ceremonial white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel—signaling the conclusion of the conclave—the trio landed on the chapel’s roof, possibly making them the first witnesses to the new papacy.Throughout the two-day event, the sea gulls flitted in and out of live television shots, diverting attention from the critical proceedings and sparking a surge of online commentary. CNN anchor Erin Burnett remarked on the crowd's fascination with the birds, which drew applause for their comings and goings, becoming integral to the narrative surrounding the Vatican's ceremonial moment.Social media took notice, with users sharing quips and playful videos. Charlotte Clymer humorously tweeted “Habemus Seagull” as a nod to the Latin proclamation for a new pope, while content creators posted clips of their pets watching the unfolding events, captivated by the sea gulls’ presence.Katie McGrady, a Catholic Channel host, suggested that the gulls became a mascot for the conclave amid the mystery of the voting process. She dismissed the idea that the birds held any prophetic significance, humorously noting, “as far as I know, God prefers to communicate with doves.”This isn’t the first time sea gulls have disrupted papal proceedings. During the 2013 conclave, they captured attention on social media, even spawning a dedicated Twitter account. In 2014, a hungry gull infamously attacked a peace dove released by Pope Francis.The sea gulls’ unexpected role at the Vatican highlights how even the most routine of events can be livened by a touch of nature, illustrating their knack for seizing the spotlight and bringing a lighter, amusing dynamic to solemn occasions.
