FSP-Microcosm News-Global Community Report: Ill omen? Pope’s doves of peace for Ukraine attacked by angry birds

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Ill omen? Pope’s doves of peace for Ukraine attacked by angry birds

Published time: January 26, 2014 19:23
Edited time: January 27, 2014 10:39

Pope Francis (C) watches as children release doves during the Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican January 26, 2014 (Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi)

Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for the start of a “constructive dialogue” in Ukraine, releasing two white doves to symbolize the hope for peace. However, the doves were immediately attacked by a crow and a seagull.
Addressing tens of thousands of people gathered in Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s weekly Angelus prayer, the pontiff said that his thoughts and prayers were with the victims of the Ukrainian unrest.
“I am close to Ukraine in prayer, in particular to those who have lost their lives in recent days and to their families,” Pope Francis said.
He then raised hopes for a “constructive dialogue between the institutions and civil society,” urging both sides to avoid violence and reminding that “the spirit of peace and a search for the common good” should be “in the hearts of all.”
In a symbolic peace gesture, two white doves were then released by children standing alongside Pope Francis.

Bad omen? @DavidKenner Pope Francis's peace doves being attacked by crows,in the world's least hopeful symbolism ever pic.twitter.com/Nki2JbJMV6
— notanna1AnnaNotaro (@notanna1) January 26, 2014

But as soon as the birds took off, they were immediately attacked by a crow and a seagull.
Read More Here

.....

AP January 26, 2014, 8: 28 AM

Pope Francis’ peace doves attacked at Vatican

A dove which was freed by children flanked by Pope Francis during the Angelus prayer, is chased by a black crow in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.  AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

CBS News
.....

Pope's dove of peace almost ends in pieces: Seagull attacks bird seconds after Pontiff releases it from Vatican balcony

By Daily Mail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 17:47 EST, 27 January 2013 | UPDATED: 03:42 EST, 28 January 2013
Releasing a dove is a symbolic appeal for peace. But when the Pope tried it yesterday, it led to quite a flap.

Nobody had bargained on a resident seagull who apparently hadn't been listening to the Holy Father's sermon.

It swooped in and attacked the bird of peace as soon as Pope Benedict XVI released the dove from a balcony at the Vatican.