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Pope on abortion: Francis relaxes forgiveness ban Pope on abortion: Francis relaxes forgiveness ban
(35 minutes later)
Pope Francis has said Catholic priests will be allowed to forgive women who have had abortions, and doctors who carry out the procedure.Pope Francis has said Catholic priests will be allowed to forgive women who have had abortions, and doctors who carry out the procedure.
However, the measure is just a temporary one for the coming Jubilee Year, which runs from 8 December - 26 November 2016.However, the measure is just a temporary one for the coming Jubilee Year, which runs from 8 December - 26 November 2016.
In Catholicism, abortion is viewed as such a grave sin that it warrants automatic excommunication.In Catholicism, abortion is viewed as such a grave sin that it warrants automatic excommunication.
The Pope said many women "believe that they have no other option".The Pope said many women "believe that they have no other option".
He added that he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonising and painful decision".He added that he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonising and painful decision".
The relaxing of the rules is being seen as a major shift Catholic Church policy, reflective of the Pope's outspoken views on compassion and mercy. The relaxing of the rules is being seen as a major shift in Catholic Church policy, reflecting the Pope's outspoken views on compassion and mercy.
"'I have decided," Pope Francis said. "notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to allow all priests for the Jubilee Year to absolve of the sin of abortion those who procure it and who also seek forgiveness." "'I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to allow all priests for the Jubilee Year to absolve of the sin of abortion those who procure it and who also seek forgiveness," Pope Francis said.
The Jubilee Year is seen as one of the Catholic Church's most important events. It normally takes place every 25 years, but this year's has been declared by Pope Francis. BBC Vatican Correspondent David Willey says Pope Francis is aware that the decision will not be welcomed by traditionalists. However, in contrast to his predecessors, he regards compassion and mercy as virtues that outclass all others.
The Jubilee Year is seen as one of the Catholic Church's most important events. It normally takes place every 25 years unless a pope declares an extraordinary one to draw attention to a particular issue.
The Pope has previously denounced abortion as part of a throwaway culture.
"It is horrific even to think that there are children, victims of abortion, who will never see the light of day," he said in 2014.
"Unfortunately, what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary," he added.
Pope Francis has been viewed as progressive on other controversial issues. In 2013, on the topic of homosexuality, he said "who am I to judge?"
However, he has not changed Church policy on contraception. Speaking earlier this year, Pope Francis said that although contraception remains forbidden, there was no need for people to breed "like rabbits" to be good Catholics.