An article in today's Boston Globe reports that Vatican Observatory director, Fr. Jose Gabriel Funes, S.J. has given the O.K. to belive in aliens.

"How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation."

Funes said science, especially astronomy, does not contradict religion, touching on a theme of Pope Benedict XVI, who has made exploring the relationship between faith and reason a key aspect of his papacy.

Maybe if we get an extraterrestrial to run for office, we'll see more of a Catholic vote.