I was always taught that Catholics have an easier way to heaven but Protestants have just as much of a chance as we do. It's the relationship with Our Lord that matters, not the card you carry.
By reading the catechism of the RCC we see the RCC does not believe anyone outside the confines of the church in Rome has "just as much of a chance" at salvation as those inside its gates.
In order to be saved, one must adhere specifically to certain RC doctrines (unless you're Muslim in which case you get some kind of "go to the head of the line" pass.)
819 - Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity." 834 - Particular Churches are fully catholic through their communion with one of them, the Church of Rome "which presides in charity." "For with this church, by reason of its pre-eminence, the whole Church, that is the faithful everywhere, must necessarily be in accord" (St. Irenaeus, Adv. Haeres, 3,3,2:PG 7/1,849; cf. Vatican Council I: DS 3057). 820 - Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. This unity, we believe, subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose ... The desire to recover the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ and a call of the Holy Spirit. 841 - The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day. (Note here the catechism puts Muslims ahead of Protestants - lol. If Muslims are supposedly saved while still denying Christ, how are we to take this document seriously?) 882 - The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered." 891 - The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful -- who confirms his brethren in the faith -- he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. ... The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council. ... This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself. (Here we have the RCC teaching the pope is equal to Holy Scripture!) 1263 - By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin. 1265 - Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature," an adopted son of God, who has become a "partaker of the divine nature," member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
980 - It is through the sacrament of Penance that the baptized can be reconciled with God and with the Church: "Penance has rightly been called by the holy Fathers `a laborious kind of baptism.´ This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn" (Council of Trent (1551): DS 1672; cf. St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 39, 17: PG 36,356). 982 - There is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive ... Christ who died for all men desires that in his Church the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns away from sin. 1129 - The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation...
And for final emphasis, we have the RC catechism reiterating the Council of Trent which as you must know anathematized me and all Bible-believing Christians who kneel to none but Christ.
1376 - The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring...
So from these few examples among the massive RCC catechism we see that those who do not perform, acknowledge nor believe in the above rites are outside of those who are saved, and that those who believe in salvation by faith alone through the justification of Jesus Christ alone are still "accursed."
As for me, I prefer Scripture.
"Be not afraid; only believe." -- Mark 5:36
It clearly states this...
“The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator” before the part about the Muslims. So if you acknowledge the Creator, you are on the plan of salvation.
Good enough for me!