The Vatican, the principal body of the catholic church, has denied the viral stories claiming that Pope Francis denied the existence of hell.
The catholic community witnessed a shaking few days ago when reports claiming that the denied the existence of hell went viral. It all started when Eugenio Scalfari, a popular Italian journalist, released the report claiming that the Pope made the statement during a private interview with him.
In their statement dismissing Eugenio’s claim, the Vatican said that though the pope met with Scalfari, he did not give an interview to him. It said that the words alluded to Pope Francis are “the fruit of his (Scalfari’s) reconstruction.”
The Vatican also affirmed their belief in the existence of hell saying that “The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, ‘eternal fire.’ The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.”
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