Pope Francis consoles a boy who asked if his non-believing father is in Heaven (YouTube)
Here we have a son asking the Pope whether his father would be granted admission in the Kingdom of God. His father is an atheist.
The Pope reasons that since he was a good man, he would not be rejected by God.
However,
Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
How does the Pope biblically justify his statement?
Looking for answers from a Pentecostal perspective. Do prefer quotes from the Bible itself on whether this statement is biblically justified.