The pope’s comment on atheists saying they are redeemed and can go to heaven by doing good is a marked contrast to his predecessor Benedict’s view of non-Catholics and approach towards non-believers.

The former pope, who’s known as an intellectual and a theologian, have left some non-Catholics feeling that they are second-class believers and have been very direct in his criticism of non-believers. He has also promoted complaints from non-Catholics for approving a declaration that the only way to salvation is through the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, during a morning Mass on Wednesday, told worshipers, “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone.” In a hypothetical conversation he used as an example, the pope said, 'Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!" The pope continued, "We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”

Clarifying the pope’s comments, which many have implied as the pope saying that atheists and non-believers can go to heaven, Vatican Spokesman Rev. Thomas Rosica writes that “every man or woman, whatever their situation, can be saved. Even non-Christians can respond to this saving action of the Spirit. No person is excluded from salvation simply because of so-called original sin.”

Many have viewed the pope’s comment as a desire to bridge the gap between those of different faiths and even those who have none in the name of peace.

Pope Benedict XVI is known as a vocal opponent of secularism and unbelief. He also prompted negative reactions from non-Catholic believers for his views on salvation.

In 2007, the former Pontiff ignited controversy across the world by approving a document saying non-Catholic Christian communities are either defective or not true churches, and that the Roman Catholic provides the only true path to salvation.

The document said other Christian communities such as Protestants “cannot be called ‘churches’ in the proper sense.”

Non-catholics wasted no time in attacking the approved documents, with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches issuing a statement saying, “It makes us question the seriousness with which the Roman Catholic Church takes its dialogues with the reformed family and other families of the church.”