"I remember that once, while meditating on the Passion, a thought formed in my mind with great clarity, almost without my knowing it: “The crucifiers of Christ were saved!” I began to reflect on what such a strange thought could mean and came to the conclusion that it was true. The crucifiers of Christ were saved because Jesus prayed for them. Just as they were nailing him to the cross, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Can we imagine that the Father, who had “always” listened to Jesus' prayers during his life, would have ignored this supreme prayer, made with such determination? Of course, even in this case, man's freedom to accept or reject mercy remains. However, we cannot be certain that anyone is lost, not even Judas. Yes, Christ's crucifiers are in heaven; there they proclaim eternally the extent of God's mercy for mankind."