Are you still sure that intelligence agencies and scientists know more about extraterrestrial civilizations than anyone else? In fact, science centers, the CIA, and individuals like Elon Musk and Bill Gates know less about UFOs and alien visitations than the Pope. You may be surprised to learn that the Vatican has its own space exploration program.
The Vatican Observatory is an astronomical research and educational institution supported by the Holy See. Originally based in the Roman College of Rome, the Observatory is now headquartered in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, and operates a telescope at the Mount Graham International Observatory in the United States.
Indirect confirmation that the Vatican is "in the know" are the statements of Pope Francis and his predecessor about extraterrestrial life.
Cultists have repeatedly pointed out that people will soon get acquainted with extraterrestrial intelligence, learn more about extraterrestrial civilizations. And there is no doubt that the Vatican takes extraterrestrials more than seriously. For example, the possibility of converting them to Catholicism has been announced.
"Honestly, I wouldn't know how to answer that," the Pope replied, explaining that while scientific knowledge has so far ruled out the possibility of other thinking beings in the universe, "until America was discovered, we thought it didn't exist, and instead it did," Pope Francis said.
"But in any case, I think we should stick to what scientists tell us, still aware that the Creator is infinitely greater than our knowledge."
Francis said the one thing he is sure of in the universe and the world we live in is that it is "not the result of chance or chaos," but rather of divine intelligence.
Yes, the Vatican's research power pales in comparison to NASA's latest technological advances, but the facts speak for themselves.
Until the 19th century, this religious organization was known for opening astronomical observatories and scientific schools where young and able scientists were trained in the technique of observing space.
The Vatican Observatory, which still exists today, is one of the oldest and most authoritative on a planetary scale.
But that's not all. It turns out that the Vatican also has a space program that, according to experts, is not much inferior to the program of the same NASA.
The Vatican has quite modern and powerful telescopes and other observation equipment. The largest telescope observes the universe in the infrared range and significantly exceeds the capabilities of analogues.
And another interesting fact to ponder. While the Vatican conducts space research, more and more people on Earth begin to believe in the reality of extraterrestrial life.
According to statistics, in 1990 this number was estimated at 27% of the world's population. In 2000 it increased to 33%. Now it is approaching the 65% mark. Thus, the Vatican's awareness of extraterrestrial life can be seen as a "fire of knowledge".
Jesuit Father Jose Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory, said Christians should consider alien life as an "extraterrestrial brother" and part of God's creation.
Father Funes said it is difficult to rule out the possibility that other intelligent life exists in the universe, and he noted that a field of astronomy is now actively searching for "biomarkers" in the spectral analysis of other stars and planets.
These potential forms of life could include those that do not require oxygen or hydrogen, he said. Just as God created multiple forms of life on Earth, he said, there may be multiple forms of life throughout the universe.
"This is not contrary to faith, because we cannot place limits on God's creative freedom," he said.
"To use the words of St. Francis, if we consider earthly creatures to be 'brothers' and 'sisters,' why can't we also speak of an 'extraterrestrial brother,'" he said.
According to some scientists, the goals and objectives of church officials have changed somewhat. Now they are clearly focused on preparing humanity for an encounter with extraterrestrials.
