Regarding Heaven or Hell

Regarding Heaven

Written by Pope John Paul II--July 1999

“In the context of Revelation, we know that ‘heaven’ or happiness’ in which we will find ourselves is neither an abstraction nor a physical place in the clouds, but a living, personal relationship with the Holy Trinity. It is our meeting with our Father which takes place in the risen Christ through the communion of Holy Spirit. It is always necessary to maintain a certain restraint in describing these ‘ultimate realities’ since their depiction is always unsatisfactory. Today’s personalist language is better suited to describing the state of happiness and peace we will enjoy in our definitive communion with God.” (1)

Regarding Hell

Written by Pope John Paul II--August 199

“The images of hell that Sacred Scripture presents to us must be correctly interpreted. They show the complete frustration and emptiness of life without God...More than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God. Hell is not punishment imposed externally by God, but the condition resulting from attitudes and actions which people adopt in this life. Scripture uses many images to describe the pain, frustration and emptiness of life without God. More than a physical place, hell is the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy. So eternal damnation is not God’s work but is actually our own doing.” (2)

(1) L’Osservatore Romano; “Heaven is Fullness of Communication with God”; Editorial and Management Offices; Via del Pellegrino, 00120, Vatican City, Europe; July 28, 1999; Spoken by the Pope in general audience on July 21, 1999; Full article may be seen at www.vatican.va.

(2) L’Osservatore Romano; “Hell is the State of Those who Reject God”; Editorial and Management Offices; Via del Pellegrino, 00120, Vatican City, Europe; August 4, 1999; Spoken by the Pope in general audience on July 28, 1999; Full article may be seen at www.vatican.va.

No Actual Heaven or Hell?

Written by Pope John Paul II