Pope Francis criticized Catholics who live a double life, suggesting that it is better to be an atheist than a hypocritical Christian.

Francis made the comments Thursday during his private morning mass at his home in Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City.

"Scandal is saying one thing and doing another; it is a double life," he told attendees, according to a transcription from Vatican Radio.

He continued:

"‘I am very Catholic, I always go to mass, I belong to this association and that one; but my life is not Christian, I don’t pay my workers a just wage, I exploit people, I am dirty in my business, I launder money …’ A double life. And so many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others. How many times have we heard — all of us, around the neighbourhood and elsewhere — ‘but to be a Catholic like that, it’s better to be an atheist.’"

Francis' comments followed his mass readings, which included a passage from the Gospel of Mark that read, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off."