Seagull's timely visit: A divine sign for pope Leo XIV?
A symbolic scene unfolded just before the announcement of the pope's election. During the conclave, a seagull with a chick appeared on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. Moments later, the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square witnessed white smoke.
What do you need to know?
- A seagull appeared on the roof of the Sistine Chapel just before the new pope's election was announced.
- White smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signaled the new pope's election, Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first American in this position.
- The event took place on Thursday after the fourth round of voting by the cardinals, culminating in the election of Leo XIV as the new pope.
A symbolic scene
On the roof of the Sistine Chapel, just before the announcement of the new pope, a seagull with a chick appeared. The mother began feeding the chick, and a few seconds later, the white smoke appeared, indicating that the cardinals gathered at the conclave had chosen a new pope.
This event caused a stir among the gathered faithful. Many of them considered the scene a symbolic sign.
A sign from God or coincidence?
The seagull's presence on the roof of the Sistine Chapel sparked numerous comments on social media. Some observers saw the bird's appearance as a sign from God, while others noted that seagulls frequently visit St. Peter's Square.
"At first, you can see the seagull feeding the chick," someone in the square noted. It was even quickly calculated that exactly 39 seconds later, the white smoke appeared, signaling the new pope's election.
New pope Leo XIV
On Thursday, after the fourth round of voting, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel's chimney, announcing the election of the new pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost, hailing from Chicago, became the first pope from the USA and took the name Leo XIV.
