Two white doves released by children as a peace gesture from a window of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope's official residence in the Vatican, have been attacked by other birds - for the second year running.

With tens of thousands of people watching on Sunday the boy and girl, standing alongside Pope Francis, let the doves go over St Peter’s Square to conclude the Vatican’s annual “Caravan of Peace” event.

But straight after they were release, a seagull and a large black crow swept down and set upon the doves.

Download the new Independent Premium app Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

One dove managed to break free from the gull, losing feathers in the process, while the crow repeatedly pecked at the other dove.

It was not clear how badly injured the doves were as the birds eventually flew off.

The almost exact same thing happened last year at the same event, which is always held on the last Sunday of January, when a single gull attacked the released birds. Then, after being released, the two doves turned round and flew back at the palace.

Shape Created with Sketch. In pictures: Pope's doves of peace attacked by gull and crow straight after Vatican release Show all 8 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. In pictures: Pope's doves of peace attacked by gull and crow straight after Vatican release 1/8 Peace doves attacked The children release the doves from a window of the Apostolic Palace Reuters 2/8 Peace doves attacked One of the doves is attacked by a seagull AP 3/8 Peace doves attacked A crow also attacked the doves AP 4/8 Peace doves attacked A seagull grabs one of the doves in its beak AP 5/8 Peace doves attacked A seagull grabs one of the doves in its beak Reuters 6/8 Peace doves attacked The crow dashed towards the second dove, pecking at it repeatedly AP 7/8 Peace doves attacked The doves were attacked by both a crow and a seagull; while the first one escaped the grips of the seagull, losing only a few feathers in the process, the other one had a persistent crow chasing after it Gregorio Borgia/AP 8/8 Peace doves attacked Pope Francis waves with the children after delivering the Angelus prayer EPA 1/8 Peace doves attacked The children release the doves from a window of the Apostolic Palace Reuters 2/8 Peace doves attacked One of the doves is attacked by a seagull AP 3/8 Peace doves attacked A crow also attacked the doves AP 4/8 Peace doves attacked A seagull grabs one of the doves in its beak AP 5/8 Peace doves attacked A seagull grabs one of the doves in its beak Reuters 6/8 Peace doves attacked The crow dashed towards the second dove, pecking at it repeatedly AP 7/8 Peace doves attacked The doves were attacked by both a crow and a seagull; while the first one escaped the grips of the seagull, losing only a few feathers in the process, the other one had a persistent crow chasing after it Gregorio Borgia/AP 8/8 Peace doves attacked Pope Francis waves with the children after delivering the Angelus prayer EPA

Watch the moment the doves are released

