When I first came across this story, I thought it might be a hoax so I did some more research and found other coverage here and here. I guess the only logical conclusion is that there was literally nothing else to write about over the weekend in the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano. Or maybe the Pope was away on vacation?

Regardless, The Vatican claimed Homer Simpson as one of their own. This is what they had to say:

“Few people know it, and he does everything he can to hide it, but it is true: Homer J. Simpson is a Catholic…[The Simpsons is] among the few TV programs for children in which the Christian faith, religion, and the question of God are recurring themes.”

Yes, they certainly are recurring themes on the show. Maybe they should have consulted Ned Flanders first? Here’s one of Homer’s quotes from the show:

“Lisa, if the Bible has taught us nothing else – and it hasn’t – it’s that girls should stick to girl’s sports, such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing and such and such.”