Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be difficult, especially for young children. So when a young boy was upset about the loss of his dog, Pope Francis knew just what to say to console him.
Proving all good dogs go to heaven, the Pope said that "paradise is open to all God's creatures," and yes, this includes man's best friend.
In response to the grieving boy, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church addressed doggy heaven during his weekly address at the Vatican's St. Peter's Square.
"One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God's creatures," he said.
It is not clear if naughty dogs can go to hell.
The news may soothe the souls of many Catholic animal lovers, since theology traditionally teaches its followers that animals do not go to heaven because unlike us, they have no soul.
Pope Benedict XVI said in a 2008 sermon that not all creatures "are called to eternity" and when non-humans die, their deaths mean "solely the end of existence on earth," a message that may be hard to chew for animal lovers.
Among those who applaud the current Pope are animal rights activists. PETA proudly supports the Pope's view on puppy paradise. "PETA Christian is deeply touched and encouraged that Pope Francis has acknowledged that other species are called along with human beings into eternal life with Christ," says PETA Director of Christian Outreach and Engagement Sarah Kind. "We hope that this papal announcement will encourage all followers of Jesus to remember that although their afterlife will be paradise, animals raised and killed for food endure hell on Earth."
The 77-year-old has been viewed as a more liberal Pope compared to his predecessors. He has supported science by backing the Big Bang Theory, has engaged with homosexuals, and fired the head of the Swiss Guard for being too strict.
[Photo Credit: Alfredo Borba/Wiki Commons]
