POPE JOHN PAUL II PRAYERS MESH TO THE TUNE OF...THRILLER!?!?

Yeah, I know that's a bit of a streach, to say the least, but thanks to Ed at the Panama City-based blog Ironknee I came across a rather interesting story.

It seems as though according to Scotland's national newspaper The Scotsman (free registration required to view stories), Michael Jackson has been involved in secret discussions with the Vatican to put the late Pope John Paul II's 24 religious prayers and chants to music.

According to the story, published Monday:

Yesterday, Father Giuseppe Moscati, of the Millennium Music Society, which specialises in church music and organises musical events at the Vatican, reluctantly confirmed the details.

Fr. Moscati said: "We have the rights for the 24 prayers written by Pope John Paul.

"We had hoped the fact that we have been in contact with Michael Jackson would remain a secret. But sadly it has leaked out ahead of time. We are in discussions and trying to sort it out."

Fr. Moscati dismissed Jackson's controversial past and insisted it was no barrier to him working with the Catholic Church. The priest said: "He was cleared and found not guilty by a jury.

The Scotsman story said that Jackson, cleared last year of sexual abuse charges in California, had arrived in Venice with his three children to reportedly sign a contract, but fled upon learning that reporters and photographers were waiting for him.

The media-shy Jackson now makes his residence in the Middle Eastern emiriate of Bahrain. According to a Press Association story last month, the entertainer interviewed for a job as a consultant for a Bahrain-based company which plans to establish theme parks and music academies throughout the Middle East.

And Jackson is reportedly finalizing his Hurricane Katrina relief song, "...which will be released on Bahraini label 2 Seas Records.

"Recording artists Keisha Cole, Ciara, Snoop Dogg, Babyface and R Kelly are among those taking part in the song, called I Have This Dream, reports stated."