Doves are out, balloons are in.

Balloons released from the Pope's studio overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Balloons released from the Pope’s studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

On the last Saturday of every January, the Pope releases doves as a symbol of peace in a tradition established by Pope John Paul II.

But last year’s dove release ended awkwardly when two of the birds were attacked by crows and seagulls on their way out of St. Peter’s Square, horrifying onlookers and generally ruining the symbolism of the whole thing.

So this year, Pope Francis, lobbied hard by animal rights activists and named, after all, for an animal-loving saint, scrapped the doves thing and went with balloons.

The animal rights activists who were so alarmed at the dove release might still have a bone to pick with him, since animals can choke on the deflated balloons.

If anyone has a biodegradable, not-edible-by-crows peace symbol handy, the Vatican would like to hear from you.

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