>Oh no, the priest is necessary for forgiveness.
Not exactly…Confession to a validly ordained priest is the ORDINARY means for the forgiveness of sins…It is the tangible, tertiary solution of a compassionate and merciful God…
but it is ALSO affirmed by the Church that God can (and does) forgive EXTRAORDINARILY when one expresses TRUE CONTRITION and PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT internally, even if for an instant. The person should THEN seek out and make a proper. formal Confession to a priest, but were that not willfully possible before the moment of death and they are free of any further Mortal sins, they would be saved.
God can do what He wills, but, in His Mercy & Wisdom, has given us the ORDINARY means of salvation through His PHYSICAL Sacraments.