Caption from a photo published in 1958 prior to the Conclave of Pope Pius XII: “Pigeon perches on Cardinal’s Cap – Genoa, Italy – Giuseppe Cardinal Siri, Archbishop of Genoa, remained unperturbed when a pigeon perched on his cap as he celebrated Mass in the arena of the Orfei Circus here. The pigeon was one of a flock released in tribute to the Cardinal. The Mass, said on an altar set up in the center ring of the Big Top, was attended by circus entertainers and a crowd of Genoese.”

The words “pigeon” and “dove” are synonymous. Siri’s dove was white. The dove landing on a papabile has always been understood to be the indication of the choice of the Holy Spirit to be Pope.  According to a knowledgeable Italian priest who had conferred with Cardinal Siri, this conservative bloc was actually successful in electing Siri on the fourth ballot of the first day of the conclave, October 26, 1958, which is the feast day of Pope and martyr, Saint Evaristus, the fifth Pope of the Church. Siri, who was the fifth Pope elected this century, is said to have promptly accepted the office and announced that he would take the name “Gregory XVII.” Then, a shrill storm of protest was heard from the reformers, who jumped to their feet to intimidate the new Pope with the threat that they would immediately establish an international schismatic church, were he to emerge from the conclave as pope. Badly shaken, Siri is supposed to have replied: “if you do not want me, then elect someone else” By this one statement, which was taken as his abdication, would come the apocalyptic catastrophe that so quickly engulfed the Church.

taken from THE SIRI THESIS