Did Pope Francis Declare “All Religions Are True” at Third Vatican Council?

An article circulating online states that Pope Francis declared that all religions are true at the Third Vatican Council. Is this true or false?

The article is false. 

Let’s first look at what is being claimed. 

In an article published by Diversity Chronicle, we read that Pope Francis announced that “All religions are true, because they are true in the hearts of all those who believe in them.” Francis also allegedly discussed atheists, stating, “Even atheists acknowledge the divine. Through acts of love and charity the atheist acknowledges God as well, and redeems his own soul, becoming an active participant in the redemption of humanity.”

Regarding intolerance, the Pope is quoted as saying Catholicism is now “a modern and reasonable religion, which has undergone evolutionary changes. The time has come to abandon all intolerance.”

Diversity Chronicle

The source of this news item is Diversity Chronicle. The disclaimer on the website states, “The original content on this blog is largely satirical.”

Third Vatican Council

There has not been a Third Vatican Council. The Second Vatican Council occurred back in the 1960’s and such an event now would receive significant press.

2014 Resurgence

This story first circulated heavily on social media website in December 2013. In late February 2014, it surged for another round of sharing, despite the fact that the article has remained unchanged since it was originally posted.

Bottom Line

Pope Francis did not claim that “all religions are true” at a Third Vatican Council. No such event occurred, and the source of this report is a satirical website.

Sources

• Pope Francis Condemns Racism and Declares That “All Religions Are True” at Historic Third Vatican Council (Diversity Chronicle: December 5, 2013)
• Second Vatican Council (Catholic-Hierarchy.org)

Updated March 1, 2014