Pope Francis grants Catholic priests the right to forgive women who have had abortions

Pope Francis has called on catholic priests to pardon women who have abortions and the doctors who perform them, during the upcoming Jubilee year. The Pope's statement overrules the Catholic Church's doctrine which frowns strongly against abortion. In a message outlining special measures for the Jubilee year starting in December, Pope Francis said "I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it. The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness... many others... believe that they have no other option"he saidPope Francis said he was "well aware of the pressure" that some women were under to abort, adding that he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision". Abortion is considered a particularly serious sin and is punishable under Canon law by excommunication, by which those guilty are expelled from the Church and considered to be condemned to Hell in the afterlife.