Pope Francis is allowing all priests to forgive women who have abortions

Pope Francis extends special permission on forgiving abortion.

VATICAN CITY (KTRK) -- Pope Francis is allowing all priests to absolve the "grave sin" of women who have abortions, extending special permission he had granted them in 2015 for the just-ended Holy Year of Mercy.

Related: POPE: GAYS AND OTHERS MARGINALIZED DESERVE AN APOLOGY
[Ads /]

Pope: Gays and others marginalized deserve an apology

Pope Francis says gays - and all the other people the church has marginalized, such as the poor and the exploited - deserve an apology

Francis wrote in a document made public Monday by the Vatican "there is no sin that God's mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart," while staunchly reiterating that "abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life."
[Ads /]
Related: US CATHOLIC BISHOPS ELECT GALVESTON-HOUSTON'S CARDINAL DANIEL DINARDO TO NATION'S TOP POST

Cardinal Daniel Dinardo elected as president of U.S. bishops

The nation's Roman Catholic bishops have chosen Daniel DiNardo as their new top leader.