Pope suggests it's better to be an atheist than a bad Christian

By Daniel Burke, CNN Religion Editor

Updated 2001 GMT (0401 HKT) February 24, 2017

The Pope Church apology quote
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
1 of 9
01 pope quote 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
2 of 9
02 pope quote 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
3 of 9
03 pope quote 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
4 of 9
04 pope quote 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
5 of 9
07 pope quote REDO 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
6 of 9
06 pope quotes 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
7 of 9
05 pope quote 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
Hide Caption
8 of 9
10 pope quote 0209
Photos: The quotable Pope: Some of his more surprising sayings
H