Avian mythology through the ages

CHILDREN flanking Pope Francis released two doves from the window of the Apostolic Palace in front of an audience of 10,000. Doves symbolise peace; His Holiness pleaded for the violence in Syria to end. The gesture was not peaceful.

A large crow and a gull swooped down and attacked the ‘papal’ pigeons. Feathers flew, as a dove tried to free its wing from a lethal bill. Photos of the attack ‘went viral’. The birds lost a feather or two, in their encounter with the forces of darkness, but sustained no serious injury.

Were Satan and Beelzebub listening in on the papal message, disguised as a crow and a gull?