Doves released in the Vatican as a gesture of peace are immediately attacked by seagull and crow

Two white doves released by children standing alongside Pope Francis in Vatican City as a peace gesture have been attacked by other birds, BBC informs.

A seagull and a crow swept down on the doves after they were set free from the Apostolic Palace during the Pope's weekly Angelus prayer.

Tens of thousands of people watched as one dove struggled to break free.

But the crow pecked repeatedly at the other dove. It is not clear what happened to the doves that flew away.