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✣ Pope Francis: I’ll think about exceptions on priestly celibacy

What happened?

Pope Francis said on Monday that priestly celibacy was “a gift” and that “I do not agree with allowing optional celibacy”.

But there could perhaps be exceptions for “pastoral necessity” in “far-flung places” such as the Amazon, where there might be a place for viri probati (older “proven men”) to celebrate Mass and hear Confessions.

Francis called this idea “interesting”, but said it was for theologians to study and that he needed to think about it more deeply.