This just in -- you're still going to hell, atheists:
Pope Francis' homily last Wednesday led some observers to think he was equating atheists with Catholics who are going to heaven.
"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!" said Pope Francis.
"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."
However, a spokesperson assured Catholics last Thursday that atheists are still going to hell, reports CNN.
People who know about the Catholic Church "cannot be saved" if they "refuse to enter her or remain in her," said the Rev. Thomas Rosica, a Vatican spokesman.
Kind of reassuring in one way. If even the pope can speak so imprecisely that he's misinterpreted, it sort of takes the pressure off the rest of us.
