Michael Jackson's three children will live with their grandmother under an agreement reached with the King of Pop's ex-wife that ensures the youngsters won't have to endure a public fight over who raises them.

The agreement announced yesterday preserves Jackson's wishes as spelled out in his 2002 will and reopens the door to Deborah Rowe, the mother of Jackson's two oldest children. Rowe will see her children in visits coordinated by a child psychologist.

Rowe will receive no money from the deal, as she had after previous custody arrangements with Jackson.

The agreement ends the possibility of a lengthy and public custody battle between Katherine Jackson and Rowe for the children, who range in age from 7 to 12.

DIOGUARDI WILL RETURN AS 'IDOL' JUDGE

Kara DioGuardi, "the fourth judge," will be back on "American Idol" next season.

A source confirmed that the contract option for DioGuardi, a songwriter and producer who was added to the judging panel for its eighth season, has been picked up for Season 9. "She's coming back for a second season — she really enjoyed the first," said the source, who asked not to be identified.

The filmed auditions begin Thursday in Denver. The question of DioGuardi's return has been overshadowed by Paula Abdul's very public disputes over her expired contract.

SINGING POPE COMING OUT WITH ALBUM

Pope Benedict XVI will release an album on which he sings and recites prayers to the Virgin Mary, his label said yesterday.

The pope is accompanied by the Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome, recorded in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

The pontiff's as-yet-untitled album also includes eight original pieces of contemporary classical music, recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in London, Geffen/Universal said.

The album is the initiative of an Italian Catholic media group. Proceeds will go toward music education for underprivileged children around the world. The album is set for a Nov. 30 release.

JON AND KATE BACK ON TV, BUT OFF SOFA

Jon and Kate Gosselin are over, but "Jon & Kate Plus 8" continues.

TLC president Eileen O'Neill says the popular reality show, which has been on hiatus since the Gosselins announced their split in June, returns Monday with new episodes that document the Gosselins "separately parenting" their eight children.

O'Neill says the iconic sofa from which the couple addressed the camera is gone and replaced by "separate interview chairs." TLC will "continue to capture this family's journey in a respective and sensitive way," she told a Pasadena meeting of the Television Critics Association.