Vatican backs The Beatles

THE Vatican has finally made peace with The Beatles, saying their drug use, “dissolute” lives and even the claim that the band was bigger than Jesus are all in the past – while their music lives on.

Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano paid tribute to the Fab Four with two articles and a front-page cartoon reproducing the crosswalk immortalised on the cover of the band’s Abbey Road album.

The tribute marked the 40th anniversary of the band’s breakup.

“They even said they were more famous than Jesus,” the paper said, recalling John Lennon’s 1966 comment that outraged many Catholics.

“But, listening to their songs, all of this seems distant and meaningless,” L’Osservatore said.

“Their beautiful melodies, which changed forever pop music and still give us emotions, live on like precious jewels.”