Thursday, January 31, 2013

Pope Benedict’s peace gesture nearly RUINED when seagull attacks doves released before adoring crowds

A symbolic gesture of peace by Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday nearly went up in a cloud of feathers when a dove the pontiff released was attacked by a seagull. 

The Holy See released two doves from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square after saying a prayer to honor victims of the Holocaust.

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A white dove that was freed by Pope Benedict XVI at the end of the Angelus prayer is chased by a seagull.

"That was successful," the Pope quipped to two youngsters from a Catholic organization in Rome that joined him for the prayer, as the birds swooped above the thousands gathered in Vatican City.

However, a few moments later, a large seagull attacked one of the doves, pinning the smaller bird against a window pane.

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The dove eventually got away.

The dove eventually escaped and flew away.
It was not the first time the Pope's peace offering has gone awry.

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Pope Benedict XVI released the doves after a prayer honoring the victims of the Holocaust.

Last year, the two doves he released turned tail and flew back into the Pope's holy digs.