Vatican City, Apr 18, 2016 / 09:57 am
Speaking at morning Mass at the Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis on Monday urged the faithful not to seek salvation through anyone but Jesus alone, because he is the only way into heaven.
"The Lord thus clearly says: you cannot enter eternal life by any entryway that is not the door – that is not Jesus," the Pope said during his April 18 homily, according to Vatican Radio's translation. "He is the door of our life – and not only of eternal life, but also of our daily lives."
If we do not make decisions "in the name of Jesus" – who is the door – we attempt to do so through a "smuggler's hatch," he said.
Pope Francis drew his reflection from the day's readings, and referenced Sunday's Gospel on the good shepherd. "He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door," but who tries to enter another way, "is a thief and a robber," he said. "There is no other" door than Christ.