Breaking news (but not really because it happened a few hours ago), no Pope yet!
It’s true. We officially remain popeless. The College of Cardinals lit their first sacred chimney fire, and after a rigorous, highly scientific investigation here at The Daily Beast, we can confirm that the smoke was, in fact, black.
This means… drumroll please.
The Conclave continues!
If you, like me, were watching the chimney livestream like it was the Super Bowl of incense, then you know it took over three suspense-filled hours for the smoke to finally billow out. The anticipation was real. The vibes? Immaculate. And the memes? Divine.
So, in honor of Day 1 of Smoke Watch, here’s a holy roundup of the best internet reactions to everyone’s favorite religious smoke signal.
The Memes:
This is a shoutout to @ConclaveChimney on X, an account that chronicled the selection of Pope Francis. You need to come back and fulfill your role as writing posts in the voice of the chimney. Although you haven’t been active since 2013, this is your time to shine. Please, the world needs you.
I’ve managed to send out enough negative mental vibrations that the seagulls are leaving me alone. Either that or they got bored.
— Conclave Chimney (@ConclaveChimney) March 13, 2013
Just like in 2013, the stars of the papal chimney livestream are the seagulls, who seemed just as locked in for the Conclave proceedings as the rest of the world.
This seagull seems to be anxiously awaiting the white or black smoke coming from the Vatican for the papal conclave like everyone else.Too cute!🤣 pic.twitter.com/GDMMEG5yNH
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) May 7, 2025
waiting for the first conclave smoke be like: pic.twitter.com/UFWrkpBps3
— Fr. Myke, MSC (@popmonkph) May 7, 2025
Don’t forget about the baby seagull.
THE SEAGULL BABY OMGGG #conclave pic.twitter.com/mj3rQbuxkW
— micaela 🇵🇪 (@RESP3CT4N) May 7, 2025
the baby 🥹 it’s a family event pic.twitter.com/fPJ0FHM3aT
— anna💐 (@anniee_0216) May 7, 2025
Could the seagulls actually be government spies? Take a look at this totally real diagram of a robot seagull and decide for yourself.
Spies at the Vatican??? pic.twitter.com/6PuagZoCsw
— ᴊᴏᴇ ❤️🔥 (@traddingtonbear) May 7, 2025
Traditionally, a senior Cardinal announces “habemus papam,” a.k.a, “we have a pope,” from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. However, if they are running late, the seagulls are probably more than happy to squawk it out for them.
The seagulls on top of the Sistine Chapel waiting for their moment during the conclave pic.twitter.com/CYd3h4Btzm
— Mazzulla Ball Enthusiast (@pasmitty_) May 7, 2025
Once again, the wait was exciting, but also long, like really really long.
— Pope Crave (@ClubConcrave) May 7, 2025
— rain (@hillyskristal) May 7, 2025
But then, it finally happened. The smoke appeared and the internet went crazy.
Shout out to @ClubConcrave for their hard hitting journalism during this time of Conclave. They deserve a Pulitzer for their work.
(BREAKING) NOOOOOOOOO POPE! pic.twitter.com/MmS4rZ8wkJ
— Pope Crave (@ClubConcrave) May 7, 2025
What colour was the smoke? #conclave pic.twitter.com/REbqXRIHU3
— Steve (@Nintendoubt815) May 7, 2025
The seagulls when it happened, probably.
the seagull when the black smoke came out pic.twitter.com/od5lxaNADt
— afaf | ☀️ (@scuderia16_) May 7, 2025
Everybody is suddenly obsessed with chimneys.
avg catholic during conclave season https://t.co/eUxPneyxWN pic.twitter.com/v2tuofGsL8
— Angela ⟢ (@rosecrossart) May 7, 2025
The post The Conclave Pope Smoke Is the Biggest Meme Star appeared first on The Daily Beast.
