Fugitive Mafia man hands himself in after Pope's address

A fugitive Mafia boss has turned himself in after seeing Pope John Paul II deliver his historic speech to the Italian parliament.

Benedetto Marciante said he had been overcome by the Pope's comments on family values.

He surrendered to Italian authorities at Rome's Rebibbia prison.

His lawyer, Roberto Tricoli, quoted his client saying he'd been moved by the Pope's comments and they had awakened his own religious beliefs.

Marciante was convicted in absentia in September of Mafia association and murder.