Pope Francis says there is no hell?

https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/pope-francis-there-no-hell

This article (and the Italian interview that it references) states that Pope Francis, the current pope of the Roman Catholic Church, has stated that he doesn't believe people go to Hell when they die.

According to the article, Francis was asked in the interview about "bad souls" and where they would be punished. His response:

Pope Francis says, "They are not punished, those who repent obtain the forgiveness of God and enter the rank of souls who contemplate him, but those who do not repent and cannot therefore be forgiven disappear. There is no hell, there is the disappearance of sinful souls."

https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/pope-francis-there-no-hell

I agree, emestiu. It is baffling that people want to be "Christians" (or, in this case, religious Catholics) yet completely ignore the teachings of Jesus Christ.

It makes no sense to me how anyone can call themselves christian and not believe in an eternal hell. It's the righteous judgment of God. I think people don't know God's character when they say there is no hell for unrepentant, wicked men.

Personally, I can't wait to see Jesus and dwell in the company of loving christians and angels for eternity. I'm so sick of filth and depravity all around me.

I want to rescue as many people from the lake of fire as possible, but if they stubbornly refuse God's grace and want evil, why do people think it is unjust for God to give them what they want (a place without God?)

//It makes no sense to me how anyone can call themselves christian and not believe in an eternal hell. //

Many very sound Christians do not believe in a hell of eternal torment. Have you ever read or studied their reasoning? They make very sound biblical sense if you actually study what they say.

One of the links Chris posted has a footnote from the Vatican that says Pope’s comments were not accurately quoted by the interviewer and were taken out of context.

Universalism, ultimate reconciliation, and every other shade of teaching that attacks the biblical doctrine of hell is completely heretical. If you say hell is not forever you must also say heaven is not forever, because the same Greek word for eternal is used to describe both heaven and hell, aionios. I think the problem goes deeper than mere theological differences; I think this doctrine is one of the core principles of christianity, and denying it is tantamount to denying the virgin birth of Jesus or His sinlessness.

I think what the Pope was trying to say is, I sure hope there's not a hell, because if there is, I know that's where i'm going when I pass.

Show me a preacher or teacher who denies hell and I'll show you a powerless man with a dead philosophy that can't bring people to repentance and relationship with Christ.

Simmer down there, Nigel. You do not know of what you speaketh, and spewing gross generalities and terms like heretical is nothing but a bullying tactic.

I don't mind being bullied as I am not that sensitive, but regardless that is what you are doing.

I do not believe you will actually take the time to do any research on this issue-- it is far far easier to simply do what you are doing.

Catholic Church has denied this article. So it is not a trusted source. I personally feel it will be good not to discuss about this news as it is not from a trusted source.

Todd,

Why not speak plainly and tell the SI forum that you agree with the Pope!

Next week's headline: "Pope: Gravity is an illusion."
Next month's headline: "Pope: I'm a bird, I'm a plane, I can fly."

//Why not speak plainly and tell the SI forum that you agree with the Pope!//

Why in the world would I do that?

Todd,

Do you believe in the eternal punishment/torment of hell spoken of in the Bible, in which the person in hell is conscious of where they are for all eternity?

I sum up the biblical evidence and support as follows:

1) eternal conscious torment: possible but not probable

2) evangelical universal reconciliation: possible but not probable

3). Conditional immortality: possible and probable

4) universalism (no hell, everybody goes to heaven): not possible

todd: Well, methinks you got some splaining to do Lucy!

This reminds me of the time when I joined a staunchly reformed group on facebook. The first time I said "I speak in tongues a lot" in a few short hours.......
Cut to the scene in Patton, where Patton has his first tank battle with Rommel; this mildly comprehends what took place.
Result? I didnt have to defend myself long, they kicked me out.

Way to start the weekend.

I've never heard of the term evangelical universal reconciliation.

Care to elaborate?

Nigel:

If a person does not believe in eternal punishment, but the usual annihilation, or non-existence...my usual reply is.

Then if sin has no eternal consequences, and the worst of sinners will matter of factly never face justice ( because there is no such thing as punishment of a non-existent entity) The necessity for becoming a Christian, for fearing God, or for regretting any of your sin is all mute.

Becoming a Christian is exactly the same as joining a club you prefer, its a preference to be a Christian and that preference is simply because there are benefits for me.
Otherwise, If I don't want to join the club I can in all reality destroy the world itself and all that it contains and I would not suffer as much as a paper cut.

There are few doctrines once removed from the pulpit that are as effective to display a false god, a false gospel and a false church as the removal of the doctrine of hell/eternal conscious punishment.

//todd: Well, methinks you got some splaining to do Lucy!//

Greg does not allow discussion/explanation of the alternative views of the fate of the wicked. Therefore that puts me at a distinct disadvantage.

But I will say that I have studied this for several years and I will tell you that nothing frustrates me more than flippant dismissals because folks who do so generally have no idea what they are talking about.

When I say evangelical universal reconciliation I do so to distinguish it from what most people think of when they hear the term universalism, namely that there is no hell and everyone just goes to heaven.

To summarize greatly, Universal Reconciliation holds that hell is real , the torment is real, but that the punishment is remedial and ultimately, given enough time, those in hell will repent. Of course this means that this view allows for the possibility of post-mortem repentance.

I am not going to provide support for any of the alternate views because Greg has previously stated he does not want this on the forum and I will comply with that. Besides there is a plethora of readily available resources should a person wish to look into it. Edward Fudge and Clark Pinnock (and many others) support Conditional Immortality; Thomas Thayer ( and many others) write in support of Universal Reconciliation.

Very cool Todd, thanks. I'll look into those authors.

I thought Rob Bell, held to something as you mention here Universal reconciliation?

Thanks for the clarification and thanks for helping me steer clear of dragging you into taboo areas.

My wife was raised Seventh day Adventist, they have a soul sleep, annihilation position, my wife was resistant to my point of view for years which resulted in many conversations.

My Father in Law was of the same opinion as my wife and he took me all over scripture in my younger years as a new-er believer. (When you get married you find out not all doctrinal positions come out when dating)

I was a resolute hell-fire guy to begin with; and after all those debates, conversations, bible studies and books I had to read I ended up becoming as certain of it as I am of Salvation by grace.

Over the years I have written more than I can count about the subject by reason of dissenters challenging my interpretation.

Thanks again for being candid.