The Independent is reporting that Pope Francis has stated that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences. Here’s exactly what he said:

You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.

Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.

The Pope’s comments formed part of a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari. Papa Francesco was responding to a list of questions to the Pope published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic.

[Source : Independent]