Vatican Radio cites Pope Francis’ words at morning Mass that everyone is called to “do good” because all are redeemed in Christ:
“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.”
It is worth wondering whether or not Pope Francis will soon be charged (hear criticized) with universalism, not unlike the public cries against Katharine Jefferts Schori and Rob Bell. One can now argue that a “progressive Christian, a Catholic pope, and a popular evangelical” are all saying a similar thing…
Also worth noting these powerful words by Pope Francis: “To say that you can kill in the name of God is blasphemy.”