The Vatican media has in recent years made a special effort to memorialize the artistic legacy and influence of the Beatles. It celebrated the 40th anniversary of the group's "White Album" (The Beatles) two years ago, and included Revolver in a list of top 10 albums in March.
L'Ossevatoro Romano, the Vatican newspaper paid tribute to the Beatles on the recent 40th aniversary of their breakup. Included were two articles and a front page cartoon reproduction if the iconic crosswalk from the cover of their Abbey Road album.
Editor in chief of the paper Giovanni Maria Vian, who is a Beatles fan, contextualized John Lennon's contoversial "more popular than Jesus" comment by pointing out that at that time Osservatore commented that "in reality it wasn't that scandalous, because the fascination with Jesus was so great that it attracted these new heroes of the time."
The paper says: "Their beautiful melodies, which changed forever pop music and still give us [pleasant] emotions, live on like precious jewels."