Questions / Salvation, heaven and hell

Where is heaven?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Catholic Answers

Video: Where Is Heaven Located?, Catholic Answers Live, published Sep 18, 2017. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Not up past the clouds. When the Bible says God is “in heaven,” it means a way of being, not a spot on a map. CCC 2794

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

When Scripture says God is “in heaven,” this does not mean a place but a way of being; not that God is distant, but majestic. CCC 2794

Our words

Heaven isn’t up past the clouds. It’s being with God.

Watch another on this

Play video: What The Assumption Tells Us about Heaven, Ascension Presents, from Ascension Presents, 9 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

What is heaven like?

Play video: How could we be happy in Heaven knowing souls are in Hell?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 5 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

How could we be happy in heaven if people are in hell?

Next step: Find a parish

Honestly? The best answers come from people, not websites. Take the next step: find a parish near you

Related questions

Do Catholics believe we are saved by grace? Catholic Answers · 2 minAren’t we saved by faith alone? Bishop Robert Barron · 14 minIs there salvation outside the Church? Fr. Mike Schmitz · 8 minHow are we saved? Ascension Presents · 12 min

Sources on this page

How we know · 1 Catechism paragraph

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2794 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.