Q : 
Is Judas in Heaven or in hell? What if he did repent after he placed the rope on his neck but could not have physically affording to get off the rope. Did the Church, or Her prophets and saints, ever discussed about Judas’ final fate?
【 Question from 】 Canada 加拿大

Fr. Francis : 

The short answer is we don’t know. The Church is not in the custom of naming anyone in hell, and she never did, not even Judas.

Jesus did say that it would be better for him not to be born, or be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck. But that is not hell.

The Church does not ponder on this because it is not healthy to ponder on who is in hell. Our gaze should be fixed on heaven and the work of mercy while we can choose. Being obsessed or overly curious about who is in hell can only be detrimental to ourselves, inviting the devil to cause us unneeded anxiety and fear. It is sufficient and good for us to trust in God’s mercy instead. If we really believe God is God and His mercy is boundless, then we already know the best that could happen to him has happened to Judas.