You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven, Pope Francis assures sceptics

[Peikko 1,575]

In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.

“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”

Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”

In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari said the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.

In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/you-dont-have-to-believe-in-god-to-go-to-heaven--pope-francis-assures-sceptics-8810062.html

I guess the current pope is one of the ##### christians Danno keeps moaning about. The christians went so wrong after the crusades - not sure how that happened

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

They are getting awfully desperate, no? Makes me smile, though.

[Peikko 1,575]

OOoh, I forgot you can't use the diminutive for cat on VJ

I like the new pope. If there has to be one, it should be someone like him, at least he appears to espouse what most people consider to be christian values.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.

“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”

Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”

In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari said the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.

In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/you-dont-have-to-believe-in-god-to-go-to-heaven--pope-francis-assures-sceptics-8810062.html

I guess the current pope is one of the ##### christians Danno keeps moaning about. The christians went so wrong after the crusades - not sure how that happened

Awww Shat! Boy I bet the Baptist and Pentecostals are in an uproar

[spookyturtle 9,466]

They are getting awfully desperate, no? Makes me smile, though.

Not desperate at all. He walks the talk.

[Novembro 1,763]

Great, I'm safe.

[Karee 4,191]

Awww Shat! Boy I bet the Baptist and Pentecostals are in an uproar

I was thinking the exact same thing. That's the whole premise of their existence. Fear of hell.

[Jacque67 7,328]

This new pope rocks. As I have stated elsewhere, I am worried that he might be bumped off by a conservative member of the Catholic religion.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

maybe the new pope is an agnostic

would that not be a hoot