We can all breathe a sign of relief because, after more than 40 years, the Vatican has finally decided to forgive The Beatles over John Lennon's infamous “bigger than Jesus” claims.

At a time when the Catholic church surely has more pressing issues to deal with, the official newspaper of the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano has published a front page spread praising The Fab Four.

They wrote: "It's true, they took drugs; swept up by their success, they lived dissolute and uninhibited lives.

"But, listening to their songs, all of this seems distant and meaningless. Their beautiful melodies, which changed forever pop music and still give us emotions, live on like precious jewels."

The thumbs up is a far cry from 1966 when Lennon caused outraged by claiming that The Beatles were “bigger than Jesus.”

The comments caused outrage amongst the religious fraternity with some staunch American Christians holding rituals where they burned Beatles records.

(by Scott Colothan)