Pope's dove attacked by seagull during Angelus prayer
- 10 years ago
A white dove - a symbol of peace and reconciliation - was attacked by a rogue seagull after the Pope released it on Sunday.
It happened after Pope Francis addressed a crowd in St. Peter's Square, calling for dialogue in Ukraine.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"I am close to Ukraine in prayer, in particular to those who have lost their lives in recent days and to their families."
The Pope also condemned the killing of a 3-year-old boy -- known as Coco -- apparently by the mafia in Calabria last week.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"This wrath towards such a young child does not seem to have precedents in the history of criminality. Let us pray with Coco, who is certainly in heaven with Jesus, for the people who carried out this crime that they may repent and be converted to the Lord."
The attack on the dove didn't phase the Pope. He simply embraced the boy and patted his head as the girl laughed.
It happened after Pope Francis addressed a crowd in St. Peter's Square, calling for dialogue in Ukraine.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"I am close to Ukraine in prayer, in particular to those who have lost their lives in recent days and to their families."
The Pope also condemned the killing of a 3-year-old boy -- known as Coco -- apparently by the mafia in Calabria last week.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"This wrath towards such a young child does not seem to have precedents in the history of criminality. Let us pray with Coco, who is certainly in heaven with Jesus, for the people who carried out this crime that they may repent and be converted to the Lord."
The attack on the dove didn't phase the Pope. He simply embraced the boy and patted his head as the girl laughed.