Okay, so he didn't put it in those words. But apparently he was asked various "theological" questions in an Italian newspaper. I really liked this answer:
To the 89-year-old Scalfari's question of whether someone without faith who commits a sin would be forgiven by the Christian God, Francis responded: "God forgives those who follow their conscience."
That's
pretty much the definition of atheism. We figure things out on our own
and try to do the right thing without, you know, consulting dusty old
books.
On
the other hand, Ed Brayton had a post up the other day (sorry, no link)
that indicated Francis talks out of both sides of his mouth on the
topic of atheism. But the pope hit a high note with this remark about
following one's conscience. That's the definition of morality: doing the right thing.
There's even talk today about the church putting the kibosh on priestly celibacy. Change is afoot. Now, if only he'd say there is no god. Soon, right?