Vatican forgives Lennon 'Jesus' remark

The Roman Catholic Church has forgiven John Lennon for his claim that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus.

An editorial in the official Vatican newspaper has absolved the singer for the remark and praised the work of the Fab Four.

"The talent of Lennon and the other Beatles gave us some of the best pages in modern pop music. [Their songs had] an extraordinary resistance to the effects of time, providing inspiration for several generations of pop musicians," said the L'Osservatore Romano, which is considered a mouthpiece for the Church.

Lennon later claimed that he was glad he made the remark because it cost the Beatles some of their popularity.

He said: "If I hadn't said that the Beatles were 'bigger than Jesus' and upset the very Christian Ku Klux Klan, well, Lord, I might still be up there with all the other performing fleas!

"God bless America. Thank you, Jesus."