It's sad to see how little Papa Francisco actually knows about the Bible. By stating " Atheists don't have to believe in God in order to go to heaven." He proves the fact that he knows nothing about God, eternal life or salvation. Yes, God is merciful, but He is also just and the wages of sin is death(Romans 6:23). In Romans 3:23 it says that we have all sinned so we all fall short of the glory of God.  Nonetheless, His love for us goes beyond anything we could possibly do so He gave His only son to take our place on that cross(John3:16). Therefore, Jesus is the only way we can get to heaven( John 14:6),  and just if we believe in Him and confess with our mouths that He is lord we can be saved(Romans 10:9). There is no shortcut to it, you have to believe in order to be saved..."Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."(Mark16:16).