(Also he cited St. Rita, patron of impossible things. This makes me happy too).
All people are called to do good and not evil, the pope said. Some would object, "'but, Father, he isn't Catholic so he can't do good.' Yes, he can. He must."
The idea that others cannot really be good and do good in the world creates "a wall that leads to war and to something that historically some people have thought: that we can kill in the name of God. And that, simply, is blasphemy. To say that one can kill in God's name is blasphemy."
"The Lord has redeemed us all with the blood of Christ, all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone," he said. Some may ask, "'Father, even the atheists?' Them, too. Everyone."
So this is a big deal. If the Catholic hierarchy explicitly endorses that salvation for all is possible, it's a big step towards pluralism. If the powers of Catholicism focus their energy on pluralism, rather than excluding people, we'll see a better world.
Also apparently if I am a good secular Jew, then Jesus will redeem me even if I lose Pascal's wager. Which is good, as long ago I decided to make Perry's Wager. I'll tell you about that on another post.
