LONDON , April 4:  Protests are growing against Pope Benedict XVI’s planned trip to Britain, where some lawyers question whether the Vatican’s implicit statehood status should shield the Pope from prosecution over sex crimes by paedophile priests.

 More than 10,000 people have signed a petition on Downing Street’s website against the Pope’s visit to England and Scotland in September, which will cost UK taxpayers an estimated $22.5 million. The campaign has gained momentum as more Catholic sex abuse scandals have swept across Europe. Although Pope Benedict has not been accused of any crime, senior British lawyers are now examining whether the Pope should have immunity.

PAISLEY DODDS