Who could ever have envisioned a time when the Vatican, through its media, would tout the creativity of the music of The Beatles?
After all, this was the British band in which member John Lennon boasted in 1966 that the Fab Four was more popular than Jesus.

The public furor that followed, particularly from the Vatican, was pronounced. Lennon was accused of arrogance, at least.

However, times have changed and the Vatican media are singing the praises of The Beatles’ legacy. And Lennon’s boast is being portrayed in a more philosophical vein.

Specifically, the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano said Nov. 22 that Lennon’s remarks “can be written off now as the bragging of a young man wresting with unexpected success,” according to The Associated Press.

Both the newspaper and Vatican Radio recently noted the 40th anniversary of The Beatles’ “White Album.”

Perhaps even more intriguing, the paper said the album shows how creative The Beatles were, compared with what it called the “standardized, stereotypical” songs being produced today.

Who would ever have thought that the Roman Catholic Church would back The Beatles over all of today’s music? And why now?

It should be interesting to see how the succeeding generations of musical artists respond to the challenge that their songs are largely dull and highly derivative. That assertion certainly will not improve relations between the Vatican and younger musicians.

While most people agree that The Beatles’ music was extraordinary, the history of music didn’t — and shouldn’t — stop with them. We hope today’s musicians rise to the challenge.