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Opposing the Pope's perspective is troublesome, because it discounts the 'when' of God's sovereignty, as if The Truth of Jesus cannot be learned between the moment of dying and entry into the 'after life'.

It is a scientific fact that the cells in the brain remain alive for many minutes after the 'moment of death'. An honest atheist might just recognize The Truth and accept Him as the human spirit withdraws fromt he body to transition to the next phase of aliveness.

"An honest atheist..."

I felt I should respond to your reply but am finding it more difficult than I first thought.

There are many, many versions out there regarding Who Jesus is. But in all the accounts that matter to me, that one thief on the cross was promised what Jesus promised him while both were still alive and hanging there.

I go with the interpretation that while it is still called "today", we must choose who we will believe. As far as a secret trap door goes, I don't know for sure that one has been installed. Perhaps Houdini knows. But why wait to find out?