Quote all of it
“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.”
Obey my conscience will not bring God’s mercy or forgiveness
I agree if that is all you do. There are two separate points.
1. Ask for forgiveness and show true, sincere contrition. God will be merciful.
2. If you do not believe in God you can not ask Him for forgiveness. The best thing is to follow some moral code, that is your conscience. You can still sin. But you can not receive salvation from a God you refuse to recognize.