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.
"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.
The dove eventually escaped and flew away.
It was not the first time the Pope's peace offering has gone awry.
Last year, the two doves he released turned tail and flew back into the Pope's holy digs.
A white dove that was freed by Pope Benedict XVI at the end of the Angelus prayer is chased by a seagull.
However, a few moments later, a large seagull attacked one of the doves, pinning the smaller bird against a window pane.
The dove eventually got away.
It was not the first time the Pope's peace offering has gone awry.