Here's something to make the Rad-Trads totally freak

Nonbelievers Too Can Be Saved, Says Pope

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Whoever seeks peace and the good of the community with a pure conscience, and keeps alive the desire for the transcendent, will be saved even if he lacks biblical faith, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope made this affirmation today at the general audience, commenting on a meditation written by St. Augustine (354-430).

The article doesn't say whether the Pope also mentioned baptism at all, but this seems to presume that the "nonbeliever" dies without ever hearing the Gospel, so I'm going to go with a strict interpretation here. But, as we all know, there's no such thing as "baptism of desire", right? I mean, it's either the Creed and a dunk (or a pour), or Hell for you, my friend!

So now we know Papa Ratzinger is definitely one of those post-Pius XII false popes! (I've never been clear on whether Bl. John XXIII is so considered, but Paul VI definitely is. Haven't really wanted to research it further, to be honest.)