D'oh! Me a Catholic? Is the Pope a Presbylutheran?

The Vatican newspaper has declared that Homer Simpson is part of the Pope's flock - a claim that leaves The Simpsons' TV producer baffled.

"Few people know it - and he does everything to hide it - but it is true: Homer J Simpson is Catholic," L'Osservatore Romano wrote under the headline: "Homer and Bart are Catholic".

Last December, the newspaper praised the show on its 20th anniversary for its philosophical leanings and irreverent take on religion.

The weekend story was the latest example of the Vatican paper's efforts to be more relevant. L'Osservatore says: "The Simpsons remain among the few programmes for children in which the Christian faith, religion and the question of God are recurring themes.

"The family recites prayers together before meals and, in its own way, believes in Heaven," the paper added.

But the show's producer, Al Jean, said "My first reaction is shock and awe, and I guess it makes up for me not going to church for 20 years.

Mr Jean noted that the Simpson family attends the First Church of Springfield, "which is decidedly Presbylutheran".

"We've pretty clearly shown that Homer is not Catholic."