Pope Francis says all dogs do go to heaven

Today.com ^ | 12/12/2014 | Matt Murray

[FR_addict]

We've all heard the expression "all dogs go to heaven." On Wednesday, the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion people around the world gave it his imprimatur.

During his weekly address in the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis was consoling a little boy who had recently lost his dog, assuring the boy that he and his furry friend would reunite in heaven.

“One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures,” the pontiff said, according to Italian news sources.

[Ken H]

Serious question: So, do all people who lived and died before Christ are in hell?

There must be billions of Japanese, Indians and Chinese there as well.

[Texas Eagle]

Makes sense to me.

[Texas Eagle]

I hope you do, too. Beautiful animals.

[ctdonath2]

Ah, would this be during his fallible or infallible period? And how are we to discern the difference? Could be infallible, and we are merely unable to comprehend?

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

The Pope is wrong about dogs or any other animals being in heaven for that matter. But, he’s the Pope and I’m just some poster on FR. lol

[Does so]

I dunno. I’ve had eight miniature dachshunds in my lifetime. ==8-O

[murron]

I was always taught that animals have mortal souls, and humans have immortal souls. Animals don’t have the capacity to make decisions on what is right and wrong. They go by instincts. Having said that, my belief is that our beloved pets remain in our memories, and when and if we get to heaven, it is those memories that we take with us to heaven.

[Slings and Arrows]

Thomas Aquinas, eat your heart out. ;^)

[imardmd1]

Serious question: So, do all people who lived and died before Christ are in hell?

All who died before Jesus ascended to the Holy of Holies in Heaven on the early morning of Resurrection Day, went to Sheol (Heb.)/Hades(Gk.)/Hell (Eng.).

Enoch walked with God, and was not. He did not die, because God translated him somewhere. The Bibl does not say whre.

Elijah was taken up away from this earth in a fiery chariot. He is not dead, but where he is, is not known. Otherwise, everyone, including Jesus, went to Sheol. Read the story of "the rich man and Lazarus" in Luke 16:19-31 to see how Hell was arranged.

Those who were in the Paradise/Abraham's Bosom part of Hell were taken with Jesus when He ascended to Heaven. They are no longer in Hell.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Ah, would this be during his fallible or infallible period?

The Pope doesn't have periods, and Heaven help us if we ever get one who does.

[GeronL]

lol

[Impy]

“A broken clock is right twice a day.” I think that’s from Leviticus.

[Diapason]

“Show me scripture wherein animals sinned.
Where did they bite the apple? “

Show me where in Scripture “the apple” is mentioned.

[Forty-Niner]

Always remember that Dog is God spelled backwards.

[eastforker]

This one has got his ticket.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3236773/posts

[eastforker]

That should be her ticket.

[UnwashedPeasant]

"The better I know people the more respect I have for my dogs."

Haha, great quote. That sounds like something from Will Rogers.

[daniel1212]

What’s the dog going to think about the human he loves the most burning in eternal torment, since that is where most human beings end up?

Presuming dogs go to Heaven at death, then as with humans, these will see the justice of it, and how they loved darkness over light, and rejected obeying the light they had, which if obeyed, would had led them to the Light, spurning their day of grace.

And that the eternal life has its corollary in eternal punishment, yet that their punishment is corespondent to their accountability in the light of the grace they were given,

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:19-21)

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. (John 12:36)

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47-48)

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12)

[southern rock]

our love for our animals is profound.

So you are vegetarian, right?

[daniel1212]

He doesn’t actually say that all dogs go to heaven. He says that Heaven is “open to all God’s creatures” and that we will see our friends again there.

This true, and though i do not support Rome, the media translation is typical of their careless attitude to accuracy. It may be easy to say all golden labs go to Heaven, versus all pit bulls.