‘Sistine seagull’ steals spotlight during papal conclave — again

Vatican seagull awaits papal conclave's decision

A seagull was spotted several times on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, near the chimney where smoke will let onlookers know if a new pope has been chosen or if cardinals will meet another day. The seagull, much like during the 2013 papal conclave, has been garnering attention on social media.

ROME - As the cardinals vote in secrecy within the Sistine Chapel, the eyes of the world turn upward—not just to the chimney, but to the seagulls who often steal the show.

Perched atop the chapel’s rooftop, the birds seem to hold front-row seats to one of the world’s most watched religious events: the puff of white or black smoke signaling whether a new pope has been elected. 

During the most recent conclave, at least one seagull spent hours stationed near the chimney, at times returning with a scrap of food, and even bringing along a companion—or a fledgling—for a closer look.

Why are seagulls always at the papal chimney?

The backstory:

There’s no spiritual explanation for the seagulls’ presence—at least not officially. In religious iconography, the Holy Spirit is symbolized by a dove, not a seagull. Yet the birds have been regularly spotted during conclave broadcasts, becoming viral sensations in the process.

The moment first reached meme status during the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis when two seagulls landed on the Sistine Chapel chimney around 4:30 p.m. local time, lingering for almost 30 minutes. Viewers around the globe turned to social media, and a parody Twitter account—@SistineSeagull—was born, quickly amassing thousands of followers.

What they're saying:

The 2025 conclave has brought the birds back—and the internet is once again in love. On X (formerly Twitter), users posted screenshots of the livestream camera trained on the chapel roof, noting that the seagulls appeared to be just as interested in the chimney as the crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

"I’m watching Sky News waiting for the smoke, and my cats decided that the seagull on the Sistine Chapel’s roof is the single most exciting thing ever," wrote one user. Another called it "the most watched seagull in existence."

Why you should care:

For those following the conclave online, the presence of the seagulls adds a surprising moment of levity and symbolism to an otherwise solemn event. While the cardinals cast their votes in secrecy, the birds offer a kind of comedic relief and natural spectacle—perched at the edge of history, waiting with the rest of the world.

And whether the next puff of smoke is black or white, it’s increasingly likely that at least one seagull will be there to greet it.