It is with deep regret that we have to report that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI whose given name was Joseph Ratzinger has joined the condemned in the Roman Catholic version of eternal Hell that they call “purgatory.” The former pope, who resigned from the papacy in 2013, died at the age of 95. Tributes have been pouring in from religious leaders and dignitaries, including Evangelicals and Protestants.

The news of his death was announced by the Director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni. Pope Francis will lead the funeral services for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City. The former pope’s body will remain in the Vatican from Monday.

As many Evangelicals leaders fawn over the life accomplishments of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, seemingly canonizing the idolater-in-chief as a saint and stating that they “look forward to meeting him in the Kingdom of God,” it is important to remember that the former pope was a dedicated and devoted Roman Catholic. He was the chief Roman Catholic, the man who claimed to stand in place of Christ on Earth as His vicar, the high priest, and the mediator between Roman Catholics and God. And it is through this false belief system that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has split Hell wide open.

The following was posted on Dr. Robert Gagnon’s Facebook page.

The Roman Catholic Church is the progenitor of the false gospel of works, teaching that justification is based on the individual’s own efforts and deeds, rather than by faith alone in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. This belief is clearly refuted in Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Protestants and Evangelicals have always stood firm in their belief in justification by faith alone, while the Roman Catholic Church has consistently rejected this doctrine. Canon 9 of the Council of Trent states, “If anyone says that the sinner is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification, and that it is not in any way necessary that he be prepared and disposed by the action of his own will, let him be anathema.”

In addition to justification being based on faith alone, it is also through Christ alone that we are saved, as stated in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Roman Catholic Church, however, teaches that salvation is also dependent on the Church and its sacramental system, administered by the Church and the pope. This belief goes against the teaching that salvation is only through Christ and His work on the cross.

Furthermore, the doctrine of justification must be based on the Scriptures alone, as the Bible is the final authority on matters of salvation. The Roman Catholic Church, however, holds that Church tradition is equal with the Scriptures and often twists and contorts the Scriptures to fit their own beliefs and mandates. This goes against the belief that it is through the reading and understanding of the Scriptures that we gain the truth about salvation.

We must be clear that this pope, and every single pope preceding him, and every single pope after him, including Pope Francis, will not be found in the Kingdom of God. They are all condemned to Hell, as they have rejected the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone and have taught a false gospel of works. It is our prayer that the Roman Catholics who have been misled by this false belief system will turn to the true gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved.

Sadly, those dreaded words from Christ Himself in Matthew 7:21-23 continues to ring true in the ears of every devout Roman Catholic pope:

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’