Here's a good short ststement from the Catechism, stating that a person can be saved even without Baptism or any other sacrament (link) -- notice please the emphasis on "the influence of Grace.".
And here's a good summary of the way the Cathjloic Church sees it--- as a "medicinal," not a "punitive" penalty.
This is a topic the Catechism returns to over and over; to read a little more incontext, I'll give you these Catechism search results.
The Catholic Church is not in the business of damning. Nobody on earth has that power.
>>Thank you for giving me the opportunity to correct this common misconception.<<
The Catechism of the Church is pretty clear. There are instances beyond ones control where they have exceptions but it is not the norm.
1283 Children not baptized who die require trust but are not saved because they need to be prayed for to receive salvation
>>1283 With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God’s mercy and to pray for their salvation.<<
>>1263 By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.<<
1263 Sins are forgiven “by Baptism”? I don’t think so.
>>1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.60 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.61 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.62 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.<<
1257 Again, “salvation is bound to the sacrament of Baptism”? That totally contradicts the statement “believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved-and your house”.
>>Because the bread and wine are believed to be truly changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, any pieces that are not distributed at the Mass must be either consumed by the priest or stored in a special container called a tabernacle. (The wine must always be consumed.) Roman Catholics worship the Eucharistic species stored in the tabernacle. Especially notable is the practice of genuflection when entering into its presence. A special blessing, called Eucharistic Benediction may be given using the consecrated elements.<<
I won’t even go into how the Catholic Church connects the Eucharist to Salvation but will address the idol worship contained in the Sacrament.