Pope Francis has been in office for
just over two months and has been
making headlines for many remarks
that emphasize inclusiveness,
contrasting sharply with his
predecessors' style and apparently
even with centuries-old Catholic
dogma.
The latest was a statement last week
that all human beings, even atheists,
can be redeemed.
The pope was delivering a homily in
the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta
residence inside Vatican grounds
where he has decided to live. He
recites mass and delivers a homily
there every morning except Sunday
for Vatican employees and whoever
else might be staying at the
residence.
In a passage inspired by the Gospel
of Mark, Pope Francis said:
"The Lord has redeemed all of
us, all of us, with the Blood of
Christ: all of us, not just
Catholics. Everyone! 'Father, the
atheists?' Even the atheists.
Everyone! And this Blood makes
us children of God of the first
class. We are created children
in the likeness of God and the
Blood of Christ has redeemed
us all. And we all have a duty
to do good. And this
commandment for everyone to
do good, I think, is a beautiful
path towards peace. If we, each
doing our own part, if we do
good to others, if we meet
there, doing good, and we go
slowly, gently, little by little, we
will make that culture of
encounter: We need that so
much. We must meet one
another doing good. 'But I don't
believe, Father, I am an atheist!'
But do good: We will meet one
another there."
Headlines across the world
immediately proclaimed, "Even
Atheists Can Go To Heaven."
A Vatican spokesman quickly
intervened. Father Thomas Rosica
said "people who know the Catholic
Church cannot be saved if they
refuse to enter or remain in her."
Reaching Out
The Vatican spin tried to dampen the
media hype. Nevertheless, the remark
was another example of this pope
reaching out to an audience that
goes well beyond the church.
The pope previously said atheists
can be "precious allies" in the
building of a peaceful coexistence
between peoples and in the careful
protection of creation.
This is the style of a parish priest
who wants dialogue with his flock
and beyond.
And it is in stark contrast to the style
of Francis' immediate predecessor,
Benedict XVI, who was much more
restrained and had a bleaker view of
the world.
Benedict's carefully prepared
speeches were heavy on theology.
Francis uses a conversational, down-
to-earth tone, and to the dismay of
the Vatican press office, he often
improvises from his prepared text. He
talks about his personal history and
gives homey anecdotes about his
mother and grandmother.
He even said recently that he
sometimes nods off to sleep while
praying. Benedict rarely gave any
hints of his personal history. Rather,
he focused on the dangers of the
contemporary world.
Francis seems to have a more
optimistic personality, and he loves
to mix with the faithful in the huge
crowds in St. Peter's Square and
shake hands and kiss babies.
Pope Francis: Even Atheists Can Be Redeemed : Parallels : NPR
Pope Francis says atheists can go to heaven - Denison Forum on Truth and Culture
