Found body may be that of ballooning priest

updated 7:28 p.m. ET July 4, 2008

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Police are investigating whether a body found by sailors is a ballooning priest who disappeared over the southern Atlantic in April.

Brazil's government-run oil company Petrobras says tugboat workers found a body that may belong to Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli about 60 miles off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state.

Police inspector Daniel Jose Gomes said Friday it was too early to speculate and that DNA tests would be needed to determine the identity.

The 41-year-old priest took off from the southern port city of Paranagua on April 20, strapped to 1,000 helium-filled balloons in an attempt to raise money to build a rest stop and worship center for truckers. The balloons were found floating in water a day later.

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