Birds attack peace doves released by Pope in Vatican

Two doves released by Pope Francis and some children as a gesture of peace were set upon by a gull and a large black crow today.

Tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square watched as the birds swooped down on the doves straight after they were let go from the Apostolic Palace.

The gull initially caught one of the doves which escaped, losing feathers in the process, while the second dove was repeatedly pecked by a crow.