The Pope cannot claim immunity as head of state from charges in the paedophile priests scandal, says a campaigning lawyer.
Richard Dawkins, the scientist, and author Christopher Hitchens want Benedict XVI arrested on his visit to the UK in September for the alleged cover-up of the abuse.
Their lawyer Mark Stephens doubts the Pope can claim immunity.
He said: "I believe an English court would reject it," adding that Mussolini calling the Vatican a state had no standing in law.
The Pope has faced criticism since it emerged he delayed punishing a priest in 1985 "for the good of the church".
Dawkins said: "His first instinct is to cover up the scandal".
Daily Mirror
