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

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