The Pope Endorses Condoms? Not So Much

Pope Benedict XVI stands in front of the tapestry showing new Australian Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop as he arrives to lead a solemn mass at the Vatican
REUTERS/Tony Gentile

The biggest news of the weekend was the headline-perfect story that Pope Benedict XVI was endorsing condoms after the Vatican’s decades old stance against them. The problem? That’s not actually true. (via TIME)

The news came from an in-depth six hour interview that will be published by Ignatius Press, in which the Pope discussed the sexual abuse scandal and various positions the Church takes on controversial matters.

(See photos of the Pope in America.)

So what exactly did the Pope say about condoms? He stands by the Church’s position that they should not be used for contraception but that in some situations, they may be justifiably used by male prostitutes hoping to prevent the spread of HIV.

To read more shocking insights from the Pope, check out TIME’s detailed breakdown of the interview.

Related Topics: aids, catholic church, condoms, controversy, HIV, interview, pope, Pope Benedict, vatican, Religion
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