This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

Pope Francis has once again made people smile and received many “likes” when he declared last week in St. Peter’s Square that all animals go to heaven.

Animal lovers who have lost a beloved pet have been consoled and appreciative.

The Pope made the remarks after he received two donkeys as early Christmas presents.

In making his remarks, the Pope said “Paradise is open to all God’s creatures.”

It’s a point of debate in religious doctrine and within people’s own hearts and minds.

According to Express, Pope Francis’ beliefs are contradictory to Pope Benedict XVI’s beliefs, who reportedly said animals “are not called to the eternal life.”

Prior to this declaration by the Pope, in 2012, the online magazine, Christianity Today posed the question “Do Pets Go to Heaven?” to an author, a professor and an animal advocate.

In the article they cited different reasons for their beliefs, including the scripture from Isaiah 11:6, which speaks of heaven: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.”

What do you think? Take our poll: