Pope writes letter to atheist

I heard about this the other day but I couldn't find an English translation of his letter, which was printed in Italian in La Repubblica. I still haven't. However, there's this:

In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “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.” 

I think that's a great response. Remember, when he first said that atheists can go to heaven, there were those in the church who screamed "no, all atheists must go to hell". Well, I guess the pope cleared that up. I also like the idea that he thinks sin is something anyone can commit, including non-Christians, by not following their conscience. That's almost a humanist way of thinking, especially when combined with his outreach to the poor.

Not bad for a pope, especially considering the evil depths of his predecessor. (Speaking of which, now that Benedict is in "seclusion", I wonder if he wears more make-up. He couldn't get it from the nuns that hang out with him but perhaps a friendly prelate lent him some. Let's hope so. A little make-up could improve his disposition by letting his true self emerge.)