He had wanted to reinforce the new Catholic catechism, which holds that hell is a "state of eternal separation from God", to be understood "symbolically rather than physically".
The only "new Catholic catechism" I know of is close to 15 years old. And it never says hell is to be understood "symbolically rather than physically"; in fact, it doesn't use the word "symbolic" or "symbolically" in reference to hell at all.
So what's he talking about?
It's really amazing how much the MSM can muddle the Vatican, and indeed almost anything else they report on.
Oh, without a doubt. How can separation from God be "symbolic?" Maybe he wanted to say "spiritual" but couldn't think of the word? :)
Like any "state" of existence, hell it can co-exist right next to and in the presence of another state. Someone who is in a bad state (i.e. mood) can find even the most enjoyable cirucmstances annoying and unbearable. If somone is unhappy there is nothing worse tha being surrounded by happy people (especially if you can't change!).
new Catholic catechism...
It seems this individual never really read the Catechism, but he didn't mind writng about it.