Gibson plans Fatima flick

Mel Gibson is planning a new film about the three children who claimed they saw a vision of the Virgin Mary at Fatima in Portugal.

In 1917, Lucia Dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta, became internationally famous when they claimed the Virgin Mary appeared to them in a vision in Fatima.

The vision made predictions about World War II, turmoil in Russia and a Pope being shot. After the vision, Lucia became a Carmelite nun.

Gibson had long wanted to meet Sister Lucia so when he heard she was desperate to see The Passion Of The Christ, he arranged a special screening last year at her Rome convent.

After the screening, Gibson spoke to Sister Lucia - who died a month later aged 98 - through a metal grille about her experience. She was not allowed to leave her convent as part of her vow of faith.

An Italian film insider was quoted: "This idea is still very much at the initial stages, but Mel is keen to make a movie about Sister Lucia and the visions she had at Fatima."