Pope’s dove of peace attacked by seagull

Two thousand young people marched to the Vatican on Sunday for the church's annual "Caravan of Peace."

Following the Angelus prayer, Pope Benedict XVI released two white doves, as is the tradition, TIME reported.

The doves mark the end of the prayers and symbolize the tranquility of the Christian faith, MSN explained.

Ironically, after the Pope released the doves out onto the Vatican's Peter's Square, one was almost immediately attacked by a seagull.

Good news, though, the seagull was able to "fight off" its attacker and fly away, TIME confirmed.

Last year, there was also an incident when the birds flew back inside upon their release.

Pope Benedict simply explained,“They want to stay in the Pope’s home,” the Daily Mail reported.

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.