Catholics accept Christ as their savior why would you consider them as unsaved? trying to understand not pick a fight.
It would be the difference between an inward acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, and an outward acceptance of ritual acts as supposedly sufficient to effectuate salvation. A lot of Catholics profess cluelessness when they are asked if they have accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, they say "hey I was baptized when a baby, that made me a Christian, what do you mean"?
It is about personally, individually saying to Jesus, "I accept the sacrifice you made for me. I accept you as the leader of my life." Living a transformed life is what Jesus wants. And just like you do not become a football player just because you sit in the stands, you must get up and get into the game yourself.
This Baptist truely believes that this Pope felt the same way. That is why he went directly to all the people.
I do not mean to stand up an arguement (in fact I am heading to bed). I think John Paul II would like to add to all the commentary this week that he is not the source of the greatness we celebrate in his life. He was a servant that allowed God to achieve great things through him. This is what I saw in this beloved servant of Christ.
Probably due to the salvation by works theological teachings and an inclusiveness that excludes those outside of Catholicism from the possibility of salvation.