Jesus answered some of your questions in chapter 7 of the gospel of Matthew:
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will [k]know them by their fruits. [l]Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will [m]know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [n]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
I fully agree that not everyone who calls upon the Lord’s name will indeed enter the heavenly kingdom. We are known by our fruits, which I believe means the works that we do, in our actions and words.
I don’t know if Chavez rests in the Lord or burns with Satan and though I did not like or support him, I have no problem with praying for his soul or offering a mass for the repose of his soul.
Chavez was a sinner as we all are, but he was also a believer in Jesus and as such, wouldn’t his faith alone be enough to save him?
Non Catholics say faith alone, but here in this thread, seem to be judging his faith by his actions, which is exactly what the Church teaches.
But the point is that, Chavez was Catholic, he did meet with a priest for weeks before his death and we do not know the intimate details of those meetings. If he asked for the Sacraments, it is likely he confessed and was given absolution which would mean that he was eligible to have a funeral mass.
The Bible tells us there is no sin greater than God’s mercy. Who are we to judge otherwise?