According to the Bible, is the pope correct in stating that atheists go to heaven?

Pope Francis consoles a boy who asked if his non-believing father is in Heaven

Catholic priest clearly says atheist can reject Jesus and go to heaven

Very simply, here’s what the Bible says about going to heaven:

John 3:¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

“whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

You have to believe in God in order to go to heaven.

The original text of “believe” is:

1. to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
   1. of the thing believed
      1. to credit, have confidence
   2. in a moral or religious reference
      1. used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
      2. to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith
      3. mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith
2. to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
   1. to be entrusted with a thing

You must repent of your sins because you can’t enter heaven if you sinned. God is Holy. That’s why He sent His Son to die for your sins. BUT, you have to accept the gift of Christ’s death for your sins.

You simply tell God you are sorry for your sins and you want Him to come into your life, through the gift of Christ’s death on the cross. Accept this gift by believing.