The cardinals voting inside the chapel were presumably unaware of the meme-worthy performance above their heads.
With the whole world watching the Sistine Chapel's chimney, waiting for the white smoke that will signal the election of the new pope, the normally plain tile roof was enlivened by the arrival of two seagulls.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
While the assembled cardinals within continued their deliberations, the birds perched right above their heads — in prime view of the cameras.
As the conclave doldrums set in, the unexpected avians were immediately met with laughter and affection, with social media lighting up with #gabbiano memes. Then came the inevitable theories about what, if anything, they might symbolise.
There are even those who have launched into a "baptism" of the birds — christening them "Sistine", naturally.
As they and everyone below them wait for the smoke, the gulls were stealing the show — even upstaging the drones still watching over the Vatican and St Peter's Square.