"Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens"

"Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a
faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published
Tuesday.

The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory,
was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there
could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

'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.'"

[snip]

"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."

Full article here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/ap_on_re_eu/vatican_aliens