Pope disses Dylan

It seems the current Pope ... Benedict ... didn't want the former Pope ... John Paul ... to invite singer Bob Dylan to perform at a 1997 concert in Italy, attended by Pope John Paul.

Pope Benedict, who was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the time of the concert, called Dylan a "false Prophet" -- and urged Pope John Paul not to invite him.

Dylan, the anti-conformist troubadour of the 1960s and one of the 20th century's greatest influences on popular music, sang three songs before the Pope as part of a concert that included a number of other, mostly Italian artists.

Dylan sang "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," his 1960s anti-war classic "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," and "Forever Young," a song of hope and courage.

Maybe the Pope is just trying to sell his new book, which could explain why he is making this public now. The Pope didn't explain why he doesn't like Bob Dylan or why he considers him a "false prophet." Maybe it's because he's 1) a lover of classical and sacred music; and 2) an old fart.

Last year, he canceled the Vatican's traditional fund-raising Christmas concert, which was a magnet for pop stars.