(1 Sep 2015) People in Pope Francis' native country Argentina praised the Pontiff's announcement on Tuesday that he was allowing all rank-and-file priests to grant absolution to women who have abortions.
The measure will be in effect during the Year of Mercy he has proclaimed, which runs from 8 December 2015 until 20 November 2016.
Buenos Aires residents at the capital's cathedral voiced their support for the move, saying it was "a step in the right direction" for the church.
In Mexico City some locals did not greet the Pope's decision positively, saying the pontiff should defend life as a representative of the Catholic faith.
In a statement following Tuesday's letter on the issue by the Holy See, the Vatican made clear that forgiveness of "the sin of abortion" was not the same as condoning abortion.
The Roman Catholic Church views abortion as such a grave sin that it put the matter of granting forgiveness for an abortion in the hands of a bishop, who could either hear the woman's confession himself or delegate that to a priest who is expert in such situations.
With Tuesday's letter, Pope Francis was making it possible for women to bypass this formalized process.

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