The Vatican's official newspaper 'L'Osservatore Romano' has run a feature on The Beatles that forgives their rock'n'roll ways and John Lennon's claims that they were more popular in Jesus.

The paper said: "It's true they took drugs, lived life to excess because of their success, even said they were bigger than Jesus and put out mysterious messages that were possibly even Satanic.

"They may not have been the best example for the youth of the day but they were by no means the worse. Their beautiful melodies changed music and continue to give pleasure.

"Thirteen albums changed the history of popular music and there is little else to add ... The Beatles were the most famous and acclaimed band in the world'.