(OPINION) Speculation about the Vatican’s alleged knowledge of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) has persisted for decades, fueled by claims of secret archives, historical incidents, and the Catholic Church’s global influence.

With the election of a new Pope on the horizon, some researchers and media outlets are questioning whether the next pontiff will break the Church’s long-standing silence on the topic.

The Vatican’s connection to UFOs often centers on its vast archives, which are believed to contain centuries-old documents that could shed light on unexplained phenomena.

For instance, a Daily Star article reported that British filmmaker and UFO researcher Mark Christopher Lee urged the incoming Pope to disclose what the Vatican knows about UFOs, particularly in light of alleged historical events like the 1933 Magenta UFO recovery in Italy.

Lee suggested that the Church’s silence might indicate a cover-up, a sentiment echoed by others in the UFO research community.

Similarly, a 2023 Newsweek article discussed claims by David Grusch, a former U.S. Air Force veteran and National Reconnaissance Office employee, who alleged that the Vatican was involved in UFO-related secrecy.

Grusch’s assertions, made during a period of heightened U.S. government interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), added fuel to the narrative that the Vatican possesses classified information.

The Vatican’s role as a global intelligence hub has also contributed to these theories.

A 2024 post on X by researcher Michael Salla noted that the Church’s extensive network makes it a key player in UFO secrecy, with recent initiatives suggesting preparations for disclosing extraterrestrial life to the faithful.

These claims, while speculative, point to a broader public fascination with the Vatican’s potential involvement.

In 2024, the Vatican announced a press conference on “supernatural phenomena,” which included discussions about aliens and how the Church might handle future encounters.

This event, covered by multiple sources and shared on X, was interpreted by some as a step toward transparency.

The Daily Mail, in a 2025 article, further amplified these discussions, reporting that UFO researchers were urging Pope Francis’ successor to reveal the “truth” about the Vatican’s UFO knowledge.

The article highlighted the Church’s historical engagement with astronomy and its observatories, which some believe are used to monitor extraterrestrial activity.

However, mainstream news outlets like Reuters, BBC, and The New York Times have not directly addressed the question of whether the next Pope will reveal UFO secrets, focusing instead on broader Vatican activities or unrelated controversies.

This absence of coverage from major sources suggests that the topic remains fringe, despite its traction in tabloids and on social media. The lack of concrete evidence from credible institutions continues to limit the discussion to speculative circles.

Critics argue that the Vatican’s alleged UFO secrets are more myth than reality.

The Church has publicly engaged with the possibility of extraterrestrial life, notably through statements by Vatican astronomers like Father José Gabriel Funes, who in 2008 suggested that the existence of aliens would not contradict Catholic theology.

Yet, no official documents or verifiable evidence have emerged to support claims of a cover-up. The 2025 X post by @UfoBloke, which referenced the Magenta incident, acknowledged that the Vatican’s involvement remains unproven, with much of the narrative relying on anecdotal accounts.

Logistical challenges also complicate the idea of disclosure. The Vatican Archives, while extensive, are heavily restricted, and even if UFO-related documents exist, they may be buried in centuries of unrelated material.

Moreover, any decision to release such information would likely face theological and political hurdles, as it could disrupt the Church’s global influence or alienate its followers.