UN agency welcomes Pope’s condom comments

THE United Nations AIDS agency has welcomed the Pope’s comments that condom use might be justified in some cases, but has cautioned they were only a first step toward making the use of condoms acceptable among Catholics.

Pope Benedict XVI opened the door on the previously taboo subject of condoms as a way to fight HIV, saying male prostitutes who use condoms may be beginning to act responsibly. Previously, the pontiff has blamed condoms for making the AIDS crisis worse.

“This is a significant and positive step forward taken by the Vatican,” said executive director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe.