Papal statement - Shifting view on condoms

A spokesman for the United Nations AIDS agency has welcomed a statement by Pope Benedict XVI in relation to the use of condoms.

While they are not a moral solution in stopping AIDS, the Pontiff explained that in some instances, such as male prostitution, the use of condoms could represent a first step in assuming moral responsibility “in the intention of reducing the risk of infection”.

The comments, made in the course of an interview with a German journalist, have been published as part of a book entitled, Light of the World: The Pope.