Soul veteran DIONNE WARWICK has become so fed of performing the same song for Pope JOHN PAUL II every year, she's recorded it just for his benefit.

Warwick has performed at annual event Christmas AT THE VATICAN four times now - but each time she's always been asked to sing the classic track SILVER BELLS.

She says, "The first time I went they asked if I would do Silver Bells and I did. The second time, they said, 'Will you do Silver Bells again for us?' I said, 'Sure, not a problem.'

"And the third time they said, 'Will you do Silver Bells?' I said, 'What is this Silver Bells?' 'Well, it's the Pope's favourite song.' I said, 'Oh okay.'

"The last time I did it, I said, 'You're not gonna ask me to do Silver Bells, right?' They said, 'Yes we are.' I said, 'I tell you what: You let his holiness know that I'm gonna record it (for) any time he wants to hear Silver Bells. From this point on, when I come back to do this event again, I'm not doing Silver Bells.' He can play it all he wants. He can hear it anytime he wants to."

The track appears on Warwick's first holiday album, MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR.