White Smoke, Two Gulls, and a Pope

Rosemary Bogdan reviews a new picture book by Katie Warner and shares her grandsons’ reactions to this sweet book about the papal conclave.  

White Smoke, Two Gulls, and a Pope

By Katie Warner; illustrated by Leah Ballard and Cora Potvin

Published by Sophia Institute Press

It was only a little more than a year ago that, to everyone’s great surprise, the first American pope was elected. Katie Warner has captured this event in a new picture book illustrated by Leah Ballard and Cora Potvin, and published by Sophia Institute Press.

What a historic event it was. White Smoke, Two Gulls, and a Pope brings us back to those days as the entire world waited with eager anticipation to see who our next leader would be. Many will remember, as Katie Warner reminds us, that there were indeed a mother seagull and her chick perched right by the chimney where all eyes were glued.

Praying for the Pope

This sweet book opens appropriately with a prayer for the Holy Father. How we were all praying, weren’t we, even before we knew who it would be. Katie Warner then explains how on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected.

The story is written in rhyme with lovely illustrations by Leah Ballard and Cora Potvin. We see nice illustrations of Saint Peter’s Basilica and Saint Peter’s Square with all the diversity of people gathered there. We see sisters praying the rosary and priests “who whispered their prayers for the pope through the night.”

Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost

The last two pages include information on the Holy Father Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. We learn of his background and his family, how he was an altar boy and enjoyed “playing Mass at home.”

Memories of the Conclave

I read this book to my eight-year-old and ten-year-old grandsons to get their reactions. Since the conclave was just a year ago, they remembered it quite well. When asked about the mama seagull and her chick they each chuckled and said they remembered them too. They knew about the black smoke and the white smoke and even how they thought the chimney seemed an unusual shape. The beautiful illustrations brought all the memories back to them.

What the Children Think

This led to discussions of where they were when they heard that we have a pope! They smiled a lot as they reminisced.

I asked them if they would recommend this book. The eight-year-old said no, because it was too young for him. I asked, "Would you recommend it to your little sister (who is six)?" and he said yes.

Interestingly, the ten-year-old said he would recommend it to anyone because it has good information.

Family Discussions

I would recommend White Smoke, Two Gulls, and a Pope by Katie Warner for 3- to 6-year-olds, but also for families where children of various ages can share thoughts about the conclave and have their questions answered. The rhyming keeps the story moving and the beautiful illustrations by Leah Ballard and Cora Potvin visually hold the children’s attention.

A home-school family might love to read this book together. I enjoyed the page that read, “Two little gulls, just chick and mom, who marvel at the church, the soul’s very balm.” Then my grandsons and I talked about the meaning of the word balm and how the Church is balm for the soul. There are all kinds of possibilities for discussions.

Oh Lord, may we always be moved by the unity of the Church and how the Holy Spirit continues to guide her by choosing Christ’s vicar with each succession.

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Copyright 2026 Rosemary Bogdan
Images: Sophia Institute Press, all rights reserved.