By Paola Leopizzi Harris
May13,2026
The time has come to speak about a new Ufology and about John E. Mack’s suggestion that humanity must begin creating “a new worldview.” This emerging perspective has developed through the testimonies, experiences, and research of individuals who eventually became my personal friends, including the late Col. Philip Corso, Dr. Michael Wolf, Clifford Stone, Robert Dean, Richard Hoagland, Steven Greer, and Monsignor Corrado Balducci. Also contributing to this significant evolution in UFO research are Robert Ghost Wolf, Robert Morning Sky, and the Lakota shaman Golden Eagle, formerly known as Standing Elk.
It has been deeply inspiring to witness scientists, military personnel, experiencers, and Native American spiritual leaders working together while debating the nature of our universe and humanity’s place within it. This shift was further strengthened by statements made in the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero by Vatican emissary and demonologist Monsignor Balducci, who emphasized the importance of witness testimony concerning the UFO phenomenon. We must now understand the true significance of this transformation. If these events indeed suggest some form of contact, then humanity may already be witnessing a profound sociological and spiritual shift.
I have personally observed how dramatically the field has changed, especially when I compare today’s events with those between 1980 and 1986, when I assisted J. Allen Hynek in his research. During that period, “Close Encounters of the First Kind” — lights observed in the night sky — remained the dominant theme, and many people still regarded the phenomenon with surprise and skepticism. Today, however, researchers investigate the abduction phenomenon, “Close Encounters” of the Fourth and even Fifth Kind, including experiences reported by CSETI groups directed by Dr. Steven Greer.
All these changes occurring in Ufology today present serious challenges for researchers who, like myself, work in the fast-moving world of information gathering, artificial intelligence influenced media, where news, discoveries, testimonies, and data now travel instantly through fiber optics and global Internet communication. At times, it becomes extremely difficult to keep pace with the constant flow of new information, because within this field something new, controversial, or deeply intriguing seems to emerge almost every day.
What once evolved slowly through books, conferences, and personal correspondence is now exchanged globally in real time. Researchers are confronted not only with eyewitness accounts and sightings, but also with military testimonies, leaked documents, scientific analysis, satellite imagery, alleged government disclosures, and the personal experiences of contactees from around the world. The sheer volume of information can become overwhelming, forcing investigators to constantly separate meaningful evidence from misinformation, speculation, and deliberate disinformation.
Today, in 2026, the trend is clearly moving toward government disclosure, especially after decades of testimony from significant whistleblowers. We have had figures such as Col. Philip Corso discussing government back-engineering programs since the publication of his book in 1997, and Clifford Stone speaking openly about Army crash retrieval operations, particularly after his testimony during Dr. Steven Greer’s Disclosure Project event in 2001. We must also remember Sgt. Major Robert Dean of NATO, who courageously addressed the national security implications of the phenomenon during the Cold War years.
Nor should we forget the honorable Paul Hellyer, former Canadian Defense Minister, who boldly stated that “UFOs are as real as the airplanes over our heads.” Last but certainly not least was Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 astronaut, who testified at the Washington Press Club and called for the opening of the Roswell files. These men were not only my personal friends, but among the most credible whistleblowers ever to address this subject publicly.
Yet today, during current government hearings, these pioneering witnesses are rarely mentioned. Instead, the focus is often placed almost exclusively on military pilots and recent camera footage of “Tic Tac” craft observed over the Pacific Ocean. This narrowing of the discussion appears designed to keep the subject compartmentalized strictly within the framework of sightings and aerial phenomena, while avoiding the deeper historical testimony regarding retrievals, reverse engineering, contact experiences, and the long-term implications of disclosure itself.
The dilemma now becomes unavoidable: at this stage, are we observing technology that belongs to us, or technology that belongs to them?
How do we cope with these changes? Perhaps in this way: I remember one of my visits to Chicago at the home of J. Allen Hynek. It was early morning, and I could not find him anywhere in the house. Finally, I saw him sitting quietly, meditating with his face turned toward the rising sun. I was surprised to discover that this respected astronomer and scientist practiced yoga and meditation every morning for nearly an hour. At that moment, I realized there was also a spiritual component to this mystery — a deeper connection between humanity and the universe itself.
Perhaps the answer lies in having faith in the universe, or, as Bob Dylan once sang, the answer may still be “blowin’ in the wind.” The best way we can contribute to this emerging world — if we are truly prepared to accept it — is by remaining informed, open-minded, and receptive to new perspectives. We must continue conducting our own personal internal searches while never losing our humanity in the process.
Today, in 2026, humanity stands at the threshold of a new era of disclosure. Yet amid all the hearings, testimonies, military footage, and debates over unidentified craft, perhaps the greatest challenge is not simply discovering whether we are being visited. The greater challenge may be whether we ourselves are spiritually and psychologically prepared to understand what such a revelation truly means for the future of humanity.
I wish you wisdom, courage, and good fortune in the changing times ahead.
