Things to Do
Things to Do

CNN: Pope says better an atheist than a bad Christian

Pope Francis caresses a child during his weekly general audience, in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican in 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Francis caresses a child during his weekly general audience, in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican in 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
By Shelia Poole
Feb 23, 2017

Pope Francis has caused heads to turn once again.

The pope who has not problem speaking his mind - on the environment, women and gays- now suggest that being a nonbeliever is no worse than being a bad Christian.

The pope delivered this message during a homily in Rome, according to CNN .

“So many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others,” Francis said during morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, according to Vatican Radio. “How many times have we heard — all of us, around the neighborhood and elsewhere — ‘But to be a Catholic like that, it’s better to be an atheist.’ It is that: scandal.”

Related:

As numbers rise, nonbelievers find each other

About the Author

Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.

Follow Shelia Poole on twitter
More Stories

The Latest

5 things to know about Amazon

Here’s how to find out how much you’ve spent on Amazon

Where can I find it?

Why you should never wash your turkey

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo

A 30-year-old’s overdose sparked a new law. Now courts are testing how far it can go.

Austin’s Law, passed in 2024, is leading to convictions of fentanyl dealers after a father’s fight for justice following his son’s overdose death.

Jared Curtis isn’t the only Georgia football storyline to watch on signing day

What will National Signing Day look like? It is starting to materialize significant storylines.

Search for inmate who escaped from Grady hospital enters second day

Timothy Shane is accused of stealing an SUV and then crashing it during the getaway, according to authorities.