Fr. Antonio Spadaro has announced that he will publish a book entitled "From Francis to Leo XIV", in which he will collect statements made by Pope Leo XIV when he was still a cardinal.
In this work, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost recalls a conversation with Pope Francis, in which the late Roman Pontiff expressed his "wish-opinion" that Judas had been saved. Pope Francis then showed him a photo of a carving, found in a Gothic cathedral in France, in which was seen an image of Judas, after having taken his life, and Jesus next to him, holding the body of Judas in his arms.
Pope Francis added: "There is nothing dogmatic in this, what could it mean? There is no need to go into the whole question of heaven and hell; yes, they do exist, but is it possible to think that God's mercy can reach even the worst of sinners?"
Eternal salvation! The big question! Everyone already saved? Hell empty?
What the Lord has willed to leave in mystery, let us leave in mystery. Let us not go beyond what has been revealed to us. There is a tremendous expression of Jesus referring to Judas: "The Son of Man will go away, just as it is written of Him, but woe to him who betrays Him! It would have been better for that man if he had never been born. It is I, Rabbi," said Judas, "who would betray Him. And he said to him, 'You said so'" (Mt 26:24).
It has also been revealed to us that Jesus prayed on the Cross for those who had led him to torture and death: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Lk 23:34).
Finally, so as not to go on any longer: let us leave in the mystery of God what God has willed to leave in the mystery of his wisdom and mercy.
