Pope Francis & Hell: Did He Say It Or Didn't He?
Did Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, really say there is no hell? The Vatican, in a swift and decisive move, has vehemently denied reports suggesting Pope Francis denies the existence of hell, aiming to quell a theological firestorm before it could fully ignite.
Three days before Easter, the Vatican found itself in damage control mode. A comment, attributed to Pope Francis, had sparked considerable controversy. The statement, carried by the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica," suggested a radical shift in Catholic doctrine.
The article quoted Pope Francis as saying, "\u201cpope francis has abolished the places where souls were supposed to go after death: The idea he holds is that souls dominated by evil and unrepentant cease to exist, while those that have been redeemed from evil will be taken up into beatitude, contemplating god.\u201d observing immediately afterward: Convert, there is still time." This immediately raised alarms within the Church and among its followers. It implied a denial of hell and a significant departure from traditional teachings.
| Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) |
| Born | December 17, 1936 (age 87) |
| Birthplace | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Ordination | Priest: December 13, 1969Bishop: June 28, 1992 |
| Papacy Began | March 13, 2013 |
| Education | Chemical Technician, Master in Philosophy, Licentiate in Theology |
| Previous Positions | Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Argentina, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal |
| Known For | Emphasis on social justice, environmental concerns, and the Church's outreach to marginalized groups |
| Reference Link | Vatican Official Website |
Rome, the heart of the Catholic Church, felt compelled to respond. The Vatican issued a statement to reaffirm Pope Francis's belief in hell, a core tenet of the faith. This was no small matter, especially considering the sensitive timing just before Easter, a period of reflection on life, death, and resurrection.
The controversy gained momentum. Articles began circulating, fueled by the initial report in "La Repubblica." The articles claims were based on what the newspaper presented as the Pope's views on the afterlife.
The Church teaches that hell is a real place, a state of eternal separation from God for those who die in mortal sin without repentance. This belief is rooted in the words of Jesus, who frequently spoke of hell in the Gospels. Jesus, in fact, talked more about hell than he did about heaven, as pointed out by many religious scholars. Therefore, the implication that hell doesnt exist poses a direct challenge to the teachings.
The core of the issue is the question of eternal consequences. If hell is empty, what happens to the concept of justice? Why would one strive for good if there's no ultimate punishment? Moreover, if hell is empty, does that make Jesus a deceiver, for his words would then be rendered untrue?
Pope Francis is known for his pastoral approach and focus on mercy. He has expressed the belief in a god who is not scandalized by our sins because he is a father and accompanies us. He often asks, does god accompany sinners or immediately condemn them to hell? No, he chooses to accompany us." However, this message of accompaniment shouldn't be misconstrued as a denial of hell itself.
The alleged misrepresentation originated from an article in the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" from March 2018. The article quoted Pope Francis as stating that there is no hell, creating the initial wave of controversy. This was not the first time such an assertion emerged. There had been prior reports of Pope Francis allegedly telling an Italian journalist that hell doesn't exist.
The newspaper reports were based on interviews and informal chats. One such report mentioned an informal conversation with Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari. In the subsequent article, Scalfari wrote that the Pope believed that the faithful would spend eternity in heaven, and the sinful would simply cease to exist.
However, the Vatican has consistently refuted these reports, clarifying that Scalfari's assertions regarding Pope Francis's views on hell are inaccurate. The Vatican has emphasized that the Pope's views were misrepresented. Scalfari claimed the Pope told him that damned human persons dont suffer in hell eternally but rather simply go out of existence.
The news cycle amplified the debate. Reports that Pope Francis had made a "startling revelation" or that the Pope had made it clear that hell did not exist began to circulate. It was even reported that Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, and statements were made after his death, highlighting his statements.
The controversy brought up the concept of universal salvation, the belief that all people will eventually be saved. The Vatican has stated that such claims don't reflect the Pope's actual teachings.
The "La Repubblica" article, which was the source of the initial uproar, quoted the Pope as stating: "What I am going to say is not a dogma of faith but my own personal view: I like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is." This statement, taken in context, highlights his hope and his personal theological inclinations.
This quote, featured in the "La Repubblica" daily, sparked the controversy. The core concern surrounded whether Pope Francis was claiming that hell doesnt exist. Reports indicated that he made such a claim, but Vatican officials were quick to provide counterarguments.
The question then becomes: did the Pope actually say those words? If so, what are the implications? The controversy raised fundamental questions about the core principles of the Catholic faith. If the Pope were to state there is no hell, this would contradict centuries of tradition and doctrine.
It all began when the Pope met with Eugenio Scalfari. The Church maintains that a top Italian daily did not accurately quote Pope Francis.
The significance of this episode rests on the central tenets of the Christian faith. The Catholic Church adheres to the doctrine that hell is a place of eternal separation from God for those who die in a state of mortal sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly outlines this belief. This is a dogma of faith that has been taught for centuries. The words of Jesus provide the scriptural basis for the existence of hell.
The story on Holy Thursday, highlighted the challenge of reporting on complex theological matters. The responsibility of the interviewer and the accuracy of reporting are important. It's essential to distinguish between a Pope's personal views and the official doctrines of the Church.
As the early Church fathers stated, "I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been there, and so no one can say what it is like." (n.)
