The Vatican has all the time been an establishment shrouded in mystery. It recently made headlines with its decision to issue recent guidelines regarding aliens and easy methods to handle potential encounters in the long run.
This sudden move has raised many questions on why the Vatican decided to handle the subject now and what hidden significance it could have for our understanding of extraterrestrial life and the supernatural.
Historical context and up to date events
Historically, the Vatican has maintained a cautious stance on extraterrestrial life. The last time the Vatican's doctrinal office issued standards assessing alleged revelations and reports of supernatural events was in February 1978.
Prefect Cardinal Franjo Seper then stated that the introduction of the norms was essential, given the rapid spread of reports in regards to the alleged apparitions through the mass media.
However, in recent times there was a noticeable change on this approach. For example, in 2008, Father José Gabriel Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory, openly stated that belief in extraterrestrial life isn’t contrary to the Catholic faith. This was a major departure from traditional views and suggested a more open approach within the Church.
The headquarters of the Vatican Observatory is situated in Italy in Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope has a summer villa. But he also operates a telescope on the University of Arizona's Mount Graham International Observatory.
The – asked AFP Funes on NASA's recent announcement, which he said was “great news.”
“It is likely that there was life, perhaps some form of intelligent life,” Funes said.
But he cautioned: “I don't think we'll ever meet Mr. Spock.”
Funes has argued for years that there isn’t a conflict between the potential for alien life – even intelligent life – and the teachings of the Catholic Church. “Just as there are many creatures on Earth, there may be other beings, even intelligent ones, created by God,” Funes said in 2008. “This doesn’t contradict our faith, because we cannot place limits on God's creative will. freedom.”
“Speaking as Saint. Franciszek [of Assisi], if we consider some earthly creatures as “brother” and “sister”, why can't we also talk about “extraterrestrial brother”? He, too, would belong to creation,” he said.
One of the main reasons why the Vatican may now address this issue is the increasing credibility of UFO reports. Governments around the world, including the United States, have begun declassifying documents related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).
The Pentagon's creation of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) and subsequent release of videos of unexplained aerial encounters added a layer of legitimacy to the discussion.
The Vatican, aware of these events, may feel compelled to provide guidance to its followers on how to interpret these events within a theological framework.
Scientific and technological progress
Advances in technology and space exploration have brought humanity closer to the potential discovery of extraterrestrial life. Missions to Mars, the exploration of exoplanets, and the search for microbial life in our solar system increasingly point to the possibility that we are not alone.
The Vatican, which has its own observatory and conducts scientific research, is likely aware of these advances and the likelihood of significant discoveries in the near future.
Pope Francis seems to be quite interested in the topic of aliens. IN comments which he released in late 2023, Pope Francis appeared to suggest that aliens could actually be baptized…
He said: “It was unthinkable. If, for example, an expedition of Martians arrived tomorrow and some of them came to us, then here… Martians, right? Green, with a long nose and big ears, like children paint… And someone says: “But I want to be baptized!” What would happen?”
He didn't answer his own question, but added: “It was never a closed-door ministry, ever.”
The Vatican's new guidelines can be seen as a way to prepare believers for potential future encounters with extraterrestrials. From a theological point of view, the discovery of alien life raises profound questions about the creation, salvation and uniqueness of human beings.
By proactively addressing these issues, the Vatican aims to provide a coherent framework that integrates these potential discoveries into Catholic doctrine.
In addition to UFOs and aliens, the Vatican's guidelines also reportedly cover apparitions and supernatural phenomena. The Church has a long history of investigating and sometimes confirming such events.
By issuing the guidelines, the Vatican seeks to standardize its approach to such events, ensuring that any claims are carefully vetted and understood in their religious context. This move may also be a response to the growing interest in paranormal phenomena and the need to take a clear stance on these issues.
Do they know something we don't know?
There is speculation that the Vatican may have access to information that is not publicly available. Throughout history, the Vatican has been a repository of a vast amount of knowledge, including secret archives that are not accessible to the general public.
It is conceivable that the Church could be privy to information regarding extraterrestrial life or supernatural phenomena for which it deems it necessary to prepare the faithful.
Producer of a new documentary film entitled “God vs. Aliens” seems to imagine that the Vatican wants to organize us for the day when humanity finally makes contact with such beings…
The document goals to premiere on the Cannes Film Festival and discover the Vatican's UFO secrets.
Award-winning director Mark Christopher Lee says the Vatican's release of recent guidelines on apparitions means a full disclosure of the UFO phenomenon is getting closer.
He said: “The Vatican has been investigating UFOs for many years and even has its own cardinal who deals with first contact. “From my research, these new apparition guidelines are evidence that they know that UFOs are more than just physical craft from other worlds and that they have something paranormal about them.”
However, it is usually necessary to contemplate that this move may represent a strategic response to the changing landscape of public opinion and scientific discovery. By taking a proactive stance, the Vatican ensures that it stays relevant and authoritative on issues that captivate and concern its supporters.
Whether motivated by recent information or a strategic response to current developments, the Vatican seeks to offer guidance on a number of the most intriguing and potentially transformative problems with our time.
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