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

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."

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.