You are talking about two different things and you probably know it. The pope is talking about people with a complete conception of God who still chose to ignore him and follow their OWN conscience, which makes them their own god. But the pope and apparently you think that’s just ducky.
...what an ugly word ‘pathetic’ is. To use it in an accusing fashion under false circumstances is truly pathe...ahhh, forget it.
I have read what the Pope said and did not see where he said that his statement applied to those people with a complete conception of God and still chose to ignore Him.
I believe he was referring to people who for various and sundry reasons were “invincibly ignorant”. And those who are invincibly ignorant have always been thought to be able to get to heaven. In a nutshell they lived Christlike lives and so could be considered to have arrived in heaven or journeyed back to the Father through Christ unaware.
If you did read the letter or interview and it stated what you said in your first paragraph,I would like to see it because it would make a considerable difference in my estimation of the Pope. Thank you.