After the Vatican's peace dove disaster, a new tactic

VATICAN CITY - Dove lovers, rejoice.

Balloons, not doves, were released as a gesture of peace Sunday in St. Peter's Square, a year after an attack by a seagull and a crow on the symbolic birds sparked protests by animal rights groups.

For many years children, flanking the pope at a window of the papal studio overlooking the square, have released a pair of doves on the last Sunday in January. The Catholic Church traditionally dedicates January to peace themes.

Last year, the feel-good practice became a public relations disaster. After the children with Pope Francis tossed a pair of doves from the window, first a seagull and then a crow swept down and attacked the doves. Their ultimate fate was unknown.

Pope John Paul II began the dove release tradition to draw attention to need for peace in the world. Since then, children had been invited to join pontiffs on the last Sunday in January to release a pair of doves.