Pope Francis Grants Catholic Priests The Right to Forgive Women Who Have Had Aborti*ns

 Pope Francis has called on catholic priests to pardon women who have aborti*ns and the doctors who perform them, during the upcoming Jubilee year.

 The Pope's statement overrules the Catholic Church's doctrine which frowns strongly against abortion.

In a message outlining special measures for the Jubilee year starting in December, Pope Francis said

"I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.

The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness... many others... believe that they have no other option"he said

Pope Francis said he was "well aware of the pressure" that some women were under to abort, adding that he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision".

Abortion is considered a particularly serious sin and is punishable under Canon law by excommunication, by which those guilty are expelled from the Church and considered to be condemned to Hell in the afterlife.

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I have two or three years to live –Pope Francis

There is a clear line between  reality and faithfulness and the head of the Christian faith has shown that by announcing that he has only two or three years to live.

Although the Argentina-born Pontiff was silent on why he thinks he would not live for more than three years, he hinted that he had   ‘some nerve problems’ which require treatment.

He spoke with journalists aboard his jet as he returned from a trip to South Korea.

Francis, according to the Mailonline on Tuesday, also mentioned the possibility of retiring from the Papacy if his health failed to cope with the rigours of his office.

His predecessor, Benedict XVI, stepped down last year, in an unprecedented move that opened the way for Francis to become the Pope.

“I see it as the generosity of the people of God. I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, not to become proud. Because I know it will last only a short time,” the pope said.

Then, apparently light-heartedly, he added, “Two or three years and then I’ll be off to the Father’s house.”

A Vatican source, said the Mailonline had claimed that the Pope   had previously told those close to him that he thought he only had a few years to live.

Although Francis is 77, he has been the most vigorous Pope in years, his energy proving the key to his popularity.

His frank admission may lead commentators to speculate as to whether he has any undisclosed health problems.

At the time of his elevation to the Papacy, reports emerged that Francis had a lung removed when he was a teenager in Argentina after suffering an infection.

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