[Alamo-Girl]

For clarification, from the above link (Catholic Encyclopedia):

The excommunicated person, it is true, does not cease to be a Christian, since his baptism can never be effaced; he can, however, be considered as an exile from Christian society and as non-existent, for a time at least, in the sight of ecclesiastical authority. But such exile can have an end (and the Church desires it), as soon as the offender has given suitable satisfaction. Meanwhile, his status before the Church is that of a stranger. He may not participate in public worship nor receive the Body of Christ or any of the sacraments. Moreover, if he be a cleric, he is forbidden to administer a sacred rite or to exercise an act of spiritual authority.

[DittoJed2]

So, are you saying that Luther and Henry VIII and others who were excommunicated by the Catholic church were intended to still go to heaven by the Pope? I doubt so. Just like current views on "anathema" it's probably a modern "interpretation" and not at all what the Council of Trent meant.