Saddam Hussein was yesterday reported to be very concerned that he might be given a bit of a telling off by the Papal envoy due to meet him.

"To be honest we don't care much about what the US or the United Nations say, or that there are tens of thousands of troops massing on our borders," said an Iraqi spokespuppet, "But a messenger from the Pope? Well, that's another matter."

However last night the Vatican said it wasn't going to be too harsh on Saddam, "He may have murdered opponents and gassed Kurds, but it never does to be antagonistic. He's just a little misguided."