Pope John Paul II was hit with a gay protest January 15 on his first official visit to the city of Rome.

As the pontiff approached city hall, members of the national group Arcigay shouted "Shame! Shame!" and tried to unfurl a banner which was snatched away by police.

Five protesters were arrested for creating a public disturbance and "insulting the Religion."

"Catholic morals kill gays," Arcigay said in a leaflet distributed during the demonstration.

LIZA MINELLI STAGES BENEFIT FOR ACAPULCO AGAINST AIDS

Singer and gay icon Liza Minnelli is hosting several events February 5-7 to benefit Acapulco Against AIDS (ACASIDA).

The 1998 Acapulco AIDS Benefit includes two dinners, cocktails, dancing and a concert.

Prices range from 1,000 pesos ($123) for the cocktail reception and concert to 8,000 pesos ($982) for the full package.

The events are co-sponsored by ACASIDA, the secretary of tourism, the city government and the local Hyatt Regency hotel. For reservations, phone (800) 233-1234 or visit www.hyatt.com.

BRITISH POLICE CALL OFF 'PRETTY POLICEMEN'

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has confirmed to London's The Pink Paper that entrapment operations using so- called pretty policemen in public toilets and cruising areas are a thing of the past.

Said ACPO spokeswoman Assistant Chief Constable Ann Summers: "Unless there is an emergency situation, such as someone being physically attacked, officers will only police cottages [tea rooms] and cruising areas on the instructions of an operational commander. As for entrapment operations, they achieve nothing, they are counter-productive and they waste a lot of time and money, and get us absolutely nowhere. There is no place for such operations, and I don't foresee them being used any more in this country."