God wills the diversity of religions?

In this article "Pope Francis signs peace declaration on ‘Human Fraternity’ with Grand Imam" it discusses the signed document entitled “A Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” in which it states:
“The pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings...”
It further explains that "This statement must be read in the proper context and perspective, said Dr Chad Pecknold, associate professor of systematic theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.... God wills that all men come to know Him through the free choice of their will, and so it follows that a diversity of religions can be spoken about as permissively willed by God without denying the supernatural good of one true religion..."

My wife and I regularly watch Dr. Taylor Marshall's podcasts. Like us Dr. Marshall is a convert to Catholicism and has been very helpful in explaining our faith, in particular, his New St. Thomas Institute is a wealth of practical and helpful theological explanation of the Catholic faith. He did this  podcast entitled "212: Pope Francis: Does God Will Many Religions? Cardinal Müller Responds" on this particular issue.

The reason I got onto this topic is that the scripture passage this morning from 1 Timothy 2:1-8 contains these verses (3&4) according to the translation used by the USCCB:
"This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved
and to come to knowledge of the truth."

I then read a couple of other translations:
(NRSVCE) "This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,  who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(NIV) "This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
According to the original text (MOUNCE) the Greek word used is "thelō" which, according to the Strong's Lexicon (G2309) can be translated in various ways in the many appearances in scripture:

•     to will, have in mind, intend
•         to be resolved or determined, to purpose
•         to desire, to wish
•         to love
•             to like to do a thing, be fond of doing
•         to take delight in, have pleasure

USCCB makes reference to 2 Timothy 3:7 and 2 Peter 3:9. I was particularly impressed with the reference in 2 Peter 3:9:
"The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. "

So 1 Timothy 2:4 does not really address the plurality of religion. And the word "Will" can be used in various ways throughout scripture and is not necessarily the "Permissive Will" of God.

The basic premise of salvation to me is still, according to John 3:16,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."
and Romans 5:8,
"But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. "
that God loves everyone and gave up His Son Jesus to die on the cross as an atonement for our sins. But it is still up to each one of us to accept this sacrifice to have eternal life instead of "perishing".
But in John 14:6,
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
the Christian churches (especially the Catholic church) is still the best way to find our way to salvation.