Pope Francis announced Tuesday that all Roman Catholic priests would be empowered to offer absolution for the “sin of abortion” during the church’s Holy Year of Mercy, which begins in December.
“I
have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this
agonizing and painful decision,” Francis said in a statement issued by
the Vatican. “What has happened is profoundly unjust; yet only understanding the truth of it can enable one not to lose hope.”