The Holy See responded to the Scalfari article by saying that the comments cannot be “considered as a faithful transcription of the words of the Holy Father”. However, Cardinal Burke criticised the response as “strongly inadequate”.
“Instead of clearly re-stating the truth about the immortality of the human soul and hell, the denial only said that some of the words quoted are not of the Pope,” he said.
“It did not say that the erroneous, even heretical ideas expressed by these words are not shared by Pope and that the Pope repudiates such ideas as contrary to the Catholic faith.
“This playing with faith and doctrine, at the highest level of the Church, rightfully leaves priests and faithful scandalised.”
Source: Cardinal Burke: Scalfari interview on hell was ‘profound scandal’ | CatholicHerald.co.uk
