"YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE GOD EXISTS TO GO TO HEAVEN" - POPE FRANCIS

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?