Pope Francis softens stance on divorcees

Pope Francis yesterday issued a major proclamation on family life which appears to open up the possibility of divorced or remarried people receiving Holy Communion.

Entitled ‘Amoris Laetitia, The Joy of Love: On Love in the Family’, the Apostolic Exhortation was broadly welcomed by senior church figures here, but was criticised by gay and lesbian rights groups for its failure to alter Rome’s approach to same-sex relationships, among other issues.

The 260-page document calls for a more compassionate approach towards “imperfect” Catholics, including those who divorced and remarried.