By Staff Writer (media@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Sep 02, 2015 06:24 AM EDT

Pope Francis said that all priests can forgive women who committed abortion. There is a condition, however.

Days before visiting the United States, Pope Francis announced that the forthcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy for Catholics worldwide has no exclusions, particularly women who had abortions in the past. The pope declared that he will allow priests during the Year of Mercy to forgive women of such sin, on the condition that they repent with a contrite heart. The Year of Mercy spans from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016, ABC News reported.

"I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision," he said. "I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision. ... I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal,” the Pope said.

Pope Francis continued that he understood the challenges that single mothers face and encouraged them to stay confident. He said that God will reward them for respecting the life that they carried. He congratulated single mothers and said that they should not be ashamed.

The Pope, however, clarified that although God’s forgiveness should not be denied to anyone, the church still does not condone abortion.

CNN stated that the Catechism of the Catholic Church provides that a person who commits abortion will be automatically excommunicated. The penalty can only be lifted by a bishop. There were some experts in Catholic canon law who shared their confusion about the effects of the Pope’s recent announcement.

Edward Peters, a canon lawyer at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit said that there is a difference between the sin of abortion and the crime of abortion. In terms of the canonical crime or sin of abortion, which the Pope seems to assume, it may be absolved similar to any other serious sin.

The forgiveness period is apparently temporarily and will only last as long as the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Women who had abortions may approach their local priests to be absolved of the sin within the timeframe.

Wall Street Journal revealed that the Pope also requested for mercy towards divorced Catholics who remarry in civil ceremonies. He also extended compassion to the Society of St. Pius X, an ultra-traditionalist group that separated from the Vatican over 25 years ago. Pope Francis has established a reputation of being more forgiving and open to controversial issues that have plagued the Catholic Church for years.

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