Forgiveness.... too late?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7744282.stm

So, I read this on the news... Maybe not the most urgent piece of news in the world, but just got me curious.

Alright, I'm an atheist, mayb I have no right to comment on this. But I still wanna say something...

Finally the Almighty Vatican, (actually the newspaper of the city, L'Osservatore Romano to be precise... but most undoubtedly with the approval of the 'higher' authority) had decided to forgive Lennon. It's been... almost 40 yrs since the good man passed away.... Do you think this forgiveness will change the perception of anyone abt him? Or will it give console to his widow?

Does it still matter? He's long gone, and his legacy remained.... History will be the better judge of the significance of his existance compared to the religion. Furthermore it's the rock and roll era we are talking abt, which is significant is shaping the world today in terms of the spirituality and thinking.

Do people really care abt that then?