Fate of white doves unclear after being released by children standing alongside pontiff in front of crowd in St Peter's Square

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Two white doves that were released as a peace gesture by children standing alongside Pope Francis were attacked by other birds.

As tens of thousands of people watched in St Peter's Square on Sunday, a seagull and a large black crow swept down on the doves after they were set free from an open window of the Apostolic Palace.

A seagull attacks a dove in St Peter's Square. Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/AP

One dove lost some feathers as it broke free from the gull. But the crow pecked repeatedly at the other dove. It was not clear what happened to the doves as they flew off.

Speaking at the window beforehand, Francis appealed for peace in Ukraine, where anti-government protesters have died.