In an astonishing new twist to the Madeleine McCann enquiry, the Pope has been arrested and brought to Portugal for questioning about the little girl's disappearance.
On Friday, Madeleine's mother, Kate McCann, was formally named as a suspect, and was followed on Saturday by her husband Gerry. Both have denied any involvement in the case.
Now, the Pope, who met the couple in Italy in May, has been dragged into the middle of the mess by the Portuguese police, who don't know their arses from their elbows.
The police responded last week to allegations of 'bumbling' by bringing in French expert Inspector Jacques Clouseau, and this latest development is thought to have been at least partly due to his involvement.
Portuguese police chief Captain Manuel Clooless told reporters:
"We have made some headway. Although it may seem unlikely that the head of the Catholic church might be in some way involved in Madeleine's disappearance, we have to stress that nobody is above suspicion. We will leave no stone unturned."
The Pope, who was enjoying a weekend on the Italian Riviera, sped back to the Vatican in his Popemobile, and flew to Lisbon last night, from where he was whisked unceremoniously to the police station in Praia da Luz.
The Pontiff, 97, will face stern questioning today from the police, who, at the moment, are keen to pin the blame on anyone they can.
Captain Clooless said:
"If he didn't do it, then who did?"
