The most uplifting news story in recent days came when media outlets reported Pope Francis telling a little boy distraught over his dog’s death not to worry because, “One day we will see our animals in the eternity of Christ.”
The most dispiriting news story in recent days came shortly thereafter when media outlets reported Pope Francis said no such thing.
All dogs go to heaven?
For most of us, yes.
In the eyes of His Holiness, not so much.
Turns out an Italian newspaper badly mangled remarks made by the pope last month, when Francis was referring to comments made in 1978 by Pope Paul IV. The Italian newspaper’s mistake was repeated and expanded by renowned American media outlets like the New York Times, CNN and USA Today. It did not qualify as a red-letter day for journalism.
The reason dog lovers were atwitter when the Pope’s remarks were first (erroneously) reported was easy to understand: The leader of planet’s 1 billion Catholics allegedly acknowledged dogs could gain entry into heaven, meaning the Pope implied they have souls.
Huge! Pontiffs through the centuries have, for the most part, refused to say animals have souls. That distinction, they said, is what separates man from beast. We are worthy of entrance into the Pearly Gates, animals are not.
There were exceptions. Pope John Paul II in 1990 appeared to reverse centuries of Roman Catholic belief when he said animals are “as near to God as men.” And Paul IV famously comforted that boy by saying, “One day we will see our animals in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.”
The rest of the Pontiffs took a more conservative approach: Heaven was a private club for mankind. Canines need not apply.
It matters not. Whether or not the Pope gives his blessing, those of us who’ve been blessed by having a dog know the truth.
Dogs have souls.
Dogs go to heaven.
Of course they do.
Dogs, in fact, are probably more soulful and more deserving of a place in eternal Paradise than many (some would say most) humans.
Anybody who’s spent time with a dog knows this.
Dogs are not dumb animals, not mindless beasts. They are intelligent, discerning, emotional creatures who respond to love with love. Dogs have personalities and character traits that are not possible with inanimate objects.
To welcome a dog into your home is to welcome a family member, one who will show devotion, loyalty, affection, love and kindness – if they are given those things in return.
A dog can read your mood and may reflect it. A dog will show boundless joy if you waltz jauntily in the door, or will slip quietly to a corner if it detects a darker disposition.
Most often, if the mood is dim, a dog has a way of brightening the situation. A wag of the tail, an enthusiastic prance, a toss of a favorite toy, an eager bark – they all have a way of lifting the gloom.
For many, a dog is the only defense against crushing loneliness. For some, dogs are literally therapists. For the rest of us, they are companions, friends, exercise partners, psychologists, sounding boards, confidantes … and whatever else we need.
We don’t even have to ask. They just do it, willingly and without complaint. All they want in return is a little love and attention. And maybe a table scrap once in awhile.
If those traits don’t define a creature with a soul, nothing does. Humanity would be better off if mankind took on more characteristics of our dogs. We’d be more soulful, not less so.
Pope Francis seems like a right-thinking fellow. He may soon enough proclaim our dogs will be joining us in heaven. He may make it official in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church. That would be a good day.
If he doesn’t, those of us who have a dog howl with joy every time we walk in the front door and curl up next to us when we shut off the lights at night already know anyway.
Dogs go to heaven.
Of course they do.
(Mike McFeely is a talk-show host on 790 KFGO-AM in Fargo-Moorhead. He can be heard weekdays 2-5 p.m. Follow him on Twitter @MikeMcFeelyKFGO.)