Children flanking Pope Francis on Sunday released two white doves from the Pope’s studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The doves were then attacked by a crow and seagull and animal rights activists have urged the Pope to end the tradition, claiming doves cannot survive in the wild. Pope Francis then blessed and held a green parrot named Amore on Wednesday, after being offered by the bird’s owner, Francesco Lombardi. The Pope first drove by the parrot during his general audience, but then went back to hold the bird on his finger for a few seconds. Lombardi said that is when the bird parroted back “Papa” and the crowd began chanting.
