Pope Francis has been in the news quite a bit lately, especially after criticizing Donald Trump. On Thursday, the Pope suggested that women who are at a high risk of contracting the Zika Virus could use articial contraception—a notion that goes against years of Catholic tradition.
Scientists believe that the Zika virus outbreak is linked to the rise in births resulting in microcephaly. Microcephaly is a “neurological condition marked by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems,” according to Reuters. Researchers have even found evidence that the virus can affect the brains of newborns if women have the gotten the disease while pregnant.
The Catholic Church has stated numerous times that artificial contraception is sinful, since it keeps sex from its “natural purpose” of creating life. According to BuzzFeed News, several bishops in Latin America, where the Zika virus pandemic is occurring, have said that the emergency does not mean that contraception is okay in the eyes of the Church.
However, Pope Francis has suggested that this particular case makes it “clear” that contraception is not an absolute evil. He cited a 1968 encyclical by Pope Paul IV, saying in a press conference, “Paul VI, a great man, in a difficult situation in Africa, permitted nuns to use contraceptives in cases of rape.” Pope Francis maintained that abortion is still banned in the Catholic Church as an “absolute evil.”
Pope Francis’ comments came while on his way back to Vatican after a visit to Mexico. During this press conference, he made headlines again for his comments on GOP candidate Donald Trump. Referring to Trump’s proposed wall between Mexico and the U.S., Pope Francis said, “A person who thinks only about building walls…and not bridges, is not Christian.”
The Pope has the ultimate papal authority in the Church, so Catholic women in the regions affected by the Zika pandemic may use contraception without feeling as though they sinned against their religion. This is an important step for the Church in terms of both women’s health and worldwide reproductive rights.