Birds of Omen

Yes, it's true. I've spent a lot of time over the last two days watching Smoke Cam, hoping to hear news of our new pope. I've also signed up for PopeAlarm; I will get a text message as soon as white smoke is seen. I've even been assigned an elector to pray for through Adopt a Cardinal. Guess what? He used to be a literature teacher. Random assignation? I think not. This is what we call divine intervention, people. Doesn't Ennio Antonelli look like a sweetie? I'm glad I got him:

 

Over the last hour, as we've been waiting to hear results of the fifth round of voting, the biggest news has been about two seagulls who decided to perch on the Sistine Chapel signal chimney. First there was just one bird, but then another came along, the first flew off, and was neatly replaced. Coincidence? Again, I think not! (Papal elections provide adequate exception to my no-exclamation-points rule.) Clearly, these are birds rife with meaning, weighty seagulls, privileged birds who apparently are the only living creatures in on what's happening behind those doors (down that chimney). I've never wished to be a seagull before, but there's a first time for everything. Given that we're dealing with Roman birds, one interpreter of signs has much to say on the issue. Take a gander here.