July 29, 2008 -- Updated 0223 GMT (1023 HKT)

Body ID'd as priest who flew on party balloons

Story Highlights
* Brazilian priest's flight aimed to raise money for charity
* He launched April 20 strapped to 1,000 helium-filled balloons
* Balloons found at sea; body found later and identified via DNA tests

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- DNA tests confirmed that a body found off the coast of Brazil is that of a priest who disappeared while flying over the Atlantic buoyed by hundreds of brightly colored party balloons, authorities said Tuesday.

The Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli set off from the Brazilian 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.

But the 41-year-old Roman Catholic priest soon lost contact with his ground team, and the cluster of yellow, orange, pink and white balloons was found in the water a day later.

Read on