As the papal conclave is set to begin to elect a new pope, the eyes of the world are on the Sistine Chapel, which will hold the Catholic cardinals as they cast their votes for the next leader of the Church.

The Sistine Chapel has closed to the public so it can be prepared for the conclave, a gathering of cardinals who will elect the next pope.

The Sistine Chapel seagulls are becoming the stars of the 2025 papal conclave. The livestream of the historic event panned to a flock of seagulls perched on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, including an adorable fluffy seagull chick,