As science continues to plumb the mysteries of the universe, we may be closer than we think to discovering whether life exists on other worlds.

Scientists who once scoffed at the idea now thoughtfully debate its implications. If aliens suddenly materialized in the middle of St. Peter's Basilica, their presence will no longer start an argument about whether they have a right to exist according to Scripture.

Four hundred years after the Italian monk Giordano Bruno was tortured and killed by the Inquisition, some say, for speculating about other planets, the Catholic Church could be among the first to acknowledge aliens -- if they exist -- as fellow creatures of God.

Last week, the Vatican convened an extraordinary meeting at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences to explore the implications of alien life and whether it jibes with church dogma.

Astrobiologists and clerics compared insights from their respective disciplines in an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. Some participants now believe that Scriptures don't contradict the existence of sentient, nonhuman creatures populating the universe.

This is simple pragmatism by church thinkers. Why repeat the mistakes of the past when it comes to discoveries of undeniable scientific importance?

So, E.T., if you're out there, phone Rome. You can even call collect.

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