Pope Francis says contraception might be acceptable for women threatened by the Zika virus. John Peller with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago says that’s given him hope that the exception might extend to other communicable diseases.
“We’re glad to see that the Pope is opening the door to condom use in a public health emergency and we think it’s really high time that the church recognized the role that condoms can have as a critical public health tool,” Peller said.
The Vatican has been criticized in the past for refusing to endorse condoms to reduce the HIV transmission.
The Chicago archdiocese would not comment on the pope’s statement.