FAQ :: Did Pope Francis say that atheists will go to heaven?

Yes. Here is the part of his controversial speech as documented on a Catholic website:

“The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! “Father, even the atheists?” Even the atheists. Everyone! We all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path to 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.” [1]

Endnotes

[1] http://www.all-about-the-virgin-mary.com/can-atheists-go-to-heaven.html