Did Pope Francis Say Atheists Go to Heaven? Not Exactly
| By: ATRI Staff; ©2013 |
| The conciliatory words spoken by Pope Francis that Catholics and atheists can be “precious allies…to defend the dignity of man, in the building of a peaceful coexistence between peoples and in the careful protection of creation” have been taken by many to mean he is teaching everyone—even atheists—will go to heaven. Is this what Pope Francis meant? |
The conciliatory words spoken by Pope Francis that Catholics and atheists can be “precious allies…to defend the dignity of man, in the building of a peaceful coexistence between peoples and in the careful protection of creation” (http://www.policymic.com/articles/44975/pope-francis-i-just-kidding-atheists-no-heaven-for-you) have been taken by many to mean he is teaching everyone—even atheists—will go to heaven. Is this what Pope Francis meant?
Not exactly. Due to a firestorm of social media chatter, the Vatican released a statement noting just the opposite. Rev. Thomas Rosica clarified with quotes from the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that reaffirmed the traditional Roman Catholic view that 1) “they cannot be saved who, knowing the Church as founded by Christ and necessary for salvation, would refuse to enter her or remain in her,” as well as the idea that, 2) “According to this document those who have not yet received the gospel and this without any fault of their own are given the possibility of eternal salvation…God ‘in the unknown ways’ of his grace can give the faith without which there is no salvation even to those who have not yet heard the preaching of the gospel.” (http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/explanatory-note-on-the-meaning-of-salvation-in-francis-daily-homily-of-may-22)
While the initial statement is correct that not all people will go to heaven according to the Bible, there are contradictions between the Bible’s teachings in both of these responses from this Catholic document. In the first statement, Catholic doctrine affirms salvation is found only in the Church (uppercase C, meaning the Roman Catholic Church) and that salvation can be lost (a doctrine appearing at odds with Romans 8 and other Scriptures, though held by some denominations of Protestants).
In the second statement, Roman Catholic doctrine affirms the possibility that some people receive salvation apart from Christ. In this category it includes those who have never heard the Gospel message yet God chooses to save. However, Scripture contradicts this idea in Romans 10:14-17 that teaches:
- 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
So how should Bible-believing Christians understand this issue as presented by Roman Catholic teachings? First, it is true that not all people will be saved and spend eternity with God (Though God desires that all people would be saved according to 1 Timothy 2:4). Second, salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), not by being affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. This erroneous view lies at the heart of the Catholic-Protestant divide regarding the definition of salvation. Third, it is an urgent imperative to take the Gospel message to all people (Matthew 28:18-20), because salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Though it may seem unfair or harsh that someone would not hear the Gospel and go to hell as a result, Scripture is clear that God loves all people (John 3:16) and that He has made Himself evident to all who would believe (Roman 1:19-20).
Pope Francis does not believe all people or all atheists will go to heaven, as some media have reported, but the traditional Catholic views regarding salvation continue to stand at odds with biblical teaching.
For more information on this topic, see the series [Catholics and Protestants Now Agree?”] or the book [The Facts on Roman Catholicism].
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I noticed that there are no comments to this article. Pope Francis never said that atheists will get to Heaven. I do know that there was an article several years ago in the Huffington Post magazine. I believe the Title of the article in the H.P said that even atheists are redeemed. He did say that all Atheists are redeemed. He use the word REDEEMED, Not the word SAVED, not the word SALVATION, and not the word HEAVEN. REDEMPTION is Not the same as SALVATION. He never, ever said that anyone can make it to Heaven without Jesus. When he said that atheists are Redeemed…he meant that Jesus DIED EVEN FOR Atheists. The Church has always said that Jesus died for everyone. That does not mean that atheists, or Muslims, or anyone can get to heaven without Jesus. IF atheists, If Muslims turn to Christ, accept Him as their Savior, yes, even they can be saved, can get to Heaven. All that he was saying was that Jesus died even for atheists. i believed that the Pope said that Jesus died for, redeemed all men. Someone said “Even atheists?” He said, Yes, even atheists. It has always been taught by the Church that Jesus redeemed all, that he died for all men. This does not mean that ALL will be saved, will make it to Heaven. The Church does not teach that anyone can make it to Heaven, without Jesus. Some read that he said that even atheists are redeemed. They are. Yet, they need to deo their part. They need to accept Jesus’ gift of redemption. IF they don’t, they won’t make it to Heaven. The Pope never said they would.
Listen to his words on film. A lie denying Christ and HIsvpayment for our sins- the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. There is No Other Way! Anything else is a lie, inspired by the father of all lies- Lucifer. Guess he’s working for Lucifer. He gives the same answer to that little girl that Lucifer would give- a denial of Christ and His divinity and Sacrifice.