‘Omen’: Missed detail in Pope announcement

As millions of people tuned in to a livestream of a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel - a seagull and its chick appeared. But there was one detail many missed.

A seagull perched on the roof of the Sistine Chapel appeared to regurgitate a rat as white smoke poured out of the sacred building’s chimney, signifying a new Pope had been chosen.

Millions of people acrossed the globe were watching a livestream of the chimney in eager anticipation of the imminent Catholic announcement just before 6pm local time in Rome.

At first, a beautiful baby grey chick appeared alongside the adult seagull on the roof.

“It’s amazing isn’t it, and we just saw a beautiful sign of a baby chick,” a male presenter on CBS News said.

“It’s a sign of a new creation, and that’s exactly what is happening in this moment.”

“It must be a sign of rebirth,” added network correspondent Norah O’Donnell.

But moments later, the touching scene took an unexpected turn as the adult seagull vomited up a small rodent and began feeding it to its chick.

A seagull atop the Sistine Chapel regurgitated a rat moments before the new Pope was announced. Picture: X

Social media erupted.

“At the very beginning of the video, a seagull is vomiting a rat so that its baby could have its meal,” wrote one observer on X. “39 seconds later, Pope is announced.”

“This is certainly an omen. Time will tell us of what kind,” he added.

When the smoke rose soon after — signaling the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope Francis — thousands of followers packed below in St Peter’s Square cheered.

Crowds of people rushed towards the square to watch the balcony of the basilica, which was fitted out with red curtains for the first address to the world by the 267th pope.

Robert Francis Prevost, who has a history of missionary work in Peru, was named the first pope from the United States.

The seagull stole the show. Picture: X

White smoke is blown from the chimney, signifying a new Pope. Picture: X

Tough job awaits new Pope

Pope Francis died last month aged 88 after a 12-year papacy during which he sought to forge a more compassionate Church - but drew anger from many conservatives with his progressive approach.

The new pope now faces a momentous task: as well as asserting his moral voice on a conflict-torn global stage, he must try to unite a divided Church and tackle burning issues such as the the continued fall-out from the sexual abuse scandal.

Some 133 “Princes of the Church” from five continents -- the largest and most international conclave ever -- began voting on Wednesday afternoon.

Sworn to secrecy, on pain of excommunication, their only means of communicating their progress to the outside world was by sending up smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

On Wednesday evening and then again on Thursday lunchtime, the smoke was black, eliciting disappointed sighs from the tens of thousands watching.

But on Thursday afternoon just after 6pm local time the smoke emitted was white, confirming that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader.

It was unknown how many ballots it took to elect the new pope, but it followed recent history in wrapping up in less than two days.

In 2005, Benedict XVI, a German theologian, was elected in four ballots and Francis, in 2013, was elected in five ballots.

While the details of the election will forever remain secret, the new pope had to secure at least two-thirds of votes to be elected.

- With AFP

Originally published as ‘Omen’: Missed detail in Pope announcement