Is the concept of hell, as traditionally understood, undergoing a re-evaluation within the Catholic Church? Recent statements and reported interviews attributed to Pope Francis have sparked intense debate, suggesting a potential shift in the Church's understanding of the afterlife and the nature of divine justice.
During a meeting with priests and deacons working in the diocese of Rome on January 13, 2024, Pope Francis, in the basilica of St., listened to a question and offered his perspective, he has also shared his thoughts on the matter in an interview on Italian television, where he characterized hell as something "\u201cdifficult to imagine\u201d."
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Education | Master of Arts in Chemical Technology; Philosophy and Literature |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Ordained | Priest: December 13, 1969; Bishop: June 27, 1992; Cardinal: February 21, 2001 |
| Papacy | March 13, 2013 Present |
| Previous Roles | Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998-2013), Cardinal (2001-2013) |
| Known For | Focus on social justice, simplicity, and reform within the Catholic Church. |
| Key Initiatives | Emphasis on mercy, care for the poor and marginalized, environmental advocacy. |
| Notable Documents | Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home), Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship) |
| Website Reference | Official Vatican Website |
The Vatican, however, has addressed the controversy surrounding Pope Francis's alleged views, stating that comments denying the existence of hell, attributed to him, stem from an Italian journalist's interpretation rather than a direct, verbatim transcript. Nevertheless, the Pope's words, as reported, have ignited a theological firestorm.
In the midst of the discussion, the Pope has been quoted as saying, "\u201cthis isn\u2019t dogma, just my thought: I like to think of hell as being empty. I hope it is.\u201d This declaration, while presented as a personal reflection rather than official doctrine, has raised questions about the potential for evolving perspectives within the Catholic Church. As often happens following a controversial papal statement, a debate broke out online as to whether this is a legitimatei.e., an orthodoxviewpoint for a Catholic.
Further fueling the discussion, claims have emerged that Pope Francis has altered traditional Catholic beliefs about the afterlife, with assertions that he believes souls dominated by evil and unrepentant simply cease to exist, while those redeemed from evil are welcomed into a state of beatitude, contemplating God. The Pope's clarifying statement, "\u201ci like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is,\u201d underscores that this remains a personal conviction, not a defined teaching of the Catholic faith. The Pope emphasized that this belief is a personal one rather than an official dogma of the catholic faith.
The reported comments have been followed by clarification, Pope Francis stated, "\u201cwhat 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,\u201d
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, of course, provides the official stance on the matter.
These discussions also come in the wake of the death of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, who passed away on April 21, 2025. Following the announcement of his passing, various statements and quotes he made during his term were widely shared. The Vatican has contested the accuracy of Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfaris assertion regarding Pope Franciss position on hell. Scalfari claimed the Pope told him that damned human persons dont suffer in hell eternally but rather simply go out of existence.
Pope Francis, seemingly diverging from centuries of core Christian belief, has been quoted as suggesting that the souls of sinners simply vanish after death, rather than being subject to eternal punishment. He has also said that he believes \u201cin a god who is not scandalized by our sins because he is a father and accompanies us.\u201d The Pope asked: \u201cDoes god accompany sinners or immediately condemn them to hell?
Pope Francis has been asked how he imagines hell if he really believes God forgives everyone who asks. His response, "\u201cit\u2019s difficult to imagine it,\u201d" followed by, "\u201ci like to think of hell as empty; I hope it is,\u201d" once again clarifies that this viewpoint is a personal reflection and not official doctrine.
The Vatican's attempts to clarify the situation underscore the sensitive nature of discussing core tenets of the faith, particularly those related to the afterlife. This statement comes after the newspaper "La" also published an article in this regard.
The Pope has previously spoken about the existence of hell in public speeches during the past ten years of his pontificate.
In March 2014, during an address, he cautioned members of the mafia, stating they should change their lives \u201cwhile there is still time, so that you do not end up in hell.\u201d
The Popes views reflect a shift in the catholic churchs approach to discussing hell, moving towards a more inclusive and hopeful message about salvation and redemption.
The topic of hell and eternal damnation has been approached by Pope Francis with a focus on gods mercy and love.
The topic of hell and eternal damnation has been approached by Pope Francis with a focus on gods mercy and love. This has led to the questions of this change.
The Vatican tried to tamp down a firestorm over a comment attributed to pope francis, three days before easter.
The Holy See stated that a reported interview between Pope Francis and an Italian journalist, which claims the Pope denied the existence of hell.
The Wednesday catechesis on hell was given five years later, so the Pope may have changed his opinion later.
Regardless, the controversial nature of both balthasars book and john paul iis catechesis on hell indicate why, after saying bluntly that god will save everyone, pope francis added with a laugh, \u201cdo not say this aloud!\u201d
In march 2014 he said in an address that members of the mafia should change their lives \u201cwhile there is still time, so that you do not end up in hell. The Pope has previously spoken about the existence of hell in public speeches during the past 10 years of his pontificate.
Recently, Pope Francis has said he likes to think hell is empty, and bishop robert barron has also defended the view that we can reasonably hope that all men will be saved.
In response, a lot of catholics have called this heretical, but they focused on secondary issues more than the primary problem with this view.
About this latest interview, vatican spokesman greg burke not only denied that pope francis told scalfari, now 93, that there was no hell \u2014 he denied that francis gave the
Pope Francis said, "\u201cwhat 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,\u201d
The Pope's assertion reflects a deeply personal theological perspective. He has consistently framed his approach within the context of his own understanding, emphasizing that it is not a definitive statement of church dogma.
