Times have changed since then. The Sistine Chapel serves as the seat of the papal conclave since 1878 and has become a popular site for tourists, welcoming millions of visitors every year.

The Brief. A seagull has gained viral fame for perching on the Sistine Chapel chimney during papal conclaves. The bird’s presence has inspired memes and social media fascination dating back to 2013.

Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signalling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to choose a new leader of ...

The 133 Catholic Cardinals have entered into the Sistine Chapel as part of the ongoing Conclave to elect a new Pope. The Cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel under the supervision of Michelangelo ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signaling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to ...

Vatican workers have installed a stove in the Sistine Chapel to burn ballots during the conclave to elect a new pope, set to begin Wednesday (May 7). The installation is part of preparations for ...

Conclave fails to pick a pope at the beginning of the second day. VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013— -- Black smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel this morning indicated that the ...

Millions may feel involved in the conclave, but only 115 will vote. March 10, 2013— -- When white smoke billows out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney, the centuries-old signal that a new pope ...

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 ...