No more doves, balloons new Vatican peace symbol

 

Balloons, not doves, were released as a gesture of peace on Sunday Jan 25,2015 in St. Peter’s Square, a year after an attack by a seagull and a crow on the symbolic birds sparked protests by animal rights groups.

For many years children, flanking Pope Francis at a window of the papal studio overlooking the square, have released a pair of doves on the last Sunday in January. The Catholic Church traditionally dedicates January to peace themes. 

In 2014, the feel-good practice became a public relations disaster. After the children with Pope Francis tossed a pair of doves from the window, first a seagull and then a crow swept down and attacked the doves. Their ultimate fate was unknown