dive into the Drama: seagulls steal the show at papal conclaves
Restoration of Luster: Seagulls of Rome Regain Their Majesty at St. Peter's Square
With the anticipation building for the selection of a fresh pope, throngs of people gather in St. Peter's Square, eagerly watching the events unfold. Yet, during the long, enigmatic hours of the papal conclave, it's not the cardinals' secretive proceedings that captivate onlookers and viewers, but rather the city's resilient seagulls.
Although the exact dates may vary, the solemn procession, the closing of the Sistine Chapel's doors, and the smoke that billows from the famous chimney remain steadfast fixtures of this momentous occasion. And there, amongst it all, ... Rome's seagulls. From afar in St. Peter's Square, or up close on live camera feeds broadcast on large screens, the birds provide an engaging distraction for those anxiously awaiting a new pope.
Rome's feathered Foragers
What may appear as a serene scene on the Sistine Chapel tiles, is anything but tranquil in many corners of Rome at night. Away from the cameras, the seagulls are tearing through the trash, ripping open bags and picking out sustenance like pasta, pizza, and bread.
In their natural habitat, seagulls primarily dine on fish and shellfish. However, a chance meeting with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reveals that this was not always the case in Rome, where seagulls were rarely seen due to the great distance from the Mediterranean until the 1970s. Today, Rome boasts a thriving crowd of seagulls numbering approximately 50,000.
It's no wonder that Rome's urban environment offers ample opportunities for feeding and roosting—with its waterways, frequent human activity, and proximity to the ocean. Furthermore, the flat rooftops of the Vatican buildings provide ideal resting spots away from predators and human disturbances.
A Cultural Icon in the Making
Throughout history, there have been various encounters and sightings of seagulls during important Vatican events. Since at least 2013, seagulls have become regular spectators during papal conclaves, often spotted perched on the Sistine Chapel roof and chimney. These appearances have tapered into viral social media moments, with one bird even boasting his own parody Twitter account.
To some, these sightings may hold deeper symbolic meanings, but officially, there is no religious or spiritual link connecting seagulls to the Vatican. The presence of seagulls during these Eventful proceedings brings an air of levity to the tense atmosphere, making them an affectionate sideshow to the solemn events.
In summary, seagulls have become a common presence in Rome, particularly the Vatican, due to the city's conducive urban landscape and their natural habits of roosting on rooftops. Their frequent appearances during high-profile events like papal conclaves have gained them popularity and turned them into an unforeseen charming element of Rome's skyline during these historic moments.
[1] nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49829-5[2] nytimes.com/2013/03/16/world/europe/a-noontime-ritual-in-rome-the-vote-on-a-new-pope.html[3] archive.vaticannews.va/en/church.html
- The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the situation in the Middle East, given the ongoing distractions from the papal conclave, such as the entertaining appearances of seagulls during policy-and-legislation discussions.
- A study on pop-culture trends reveals that the papal conclave is often associated with slightly unexpected mascots, as a result of the seagulls' regular appearances during these important political events.
- During the intervals between the secret deliberations and the announcement of the new pope, news reports often feature general news about the city of Rome, including the thriving population of local seagulls and their recent presence at the Vatican.
- Although the papal conclave usually revolves around the weighty matters of politics and policy-making, the presence of seagulls often brings a unique and charming element to the proceedings, providing an entertaining distraction for onlookers and viewers alike.
- The emergence of seagulls as a papal conclave tradition continues to intrigue and amuse the public, prompting even the highest authorities in policy-and-legislation, like the European Parliament, to take notice of these peculiar avian spectators.
