On Tuesday, Pope Francis announced all Catholic priests will be authorized to forgive the grave "sin of abortion" for the whole period of the Year of Mercy beginning this December.
CNN reports the Pope's announcement will be effective through the Sacrament of Confession from December 8 until November 20, 2016, in commemoration of the Year of Mercy - a centuries-old Catholic practice of giving special indulgences to sins.
"The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented," Pope Francis said, sharing he has encountered "many women" suffering the guilt of having the "agonizing and painful" decision to commit the sin - considered in the Church Doctrine as "moral evil".
"I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision," said the Pope in his short statement, expressing his sympathy to "women who have resorted to abortion."
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a person who has committed abortion should be automatically excommunicated as punishment only the bishop can lift.
"All priests will be ready to absolve women who have had an abortion and have repented - all over the world, for a whole year," said Vatican's chief spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi. "It's a widening of the church's mercy on what is such a dramatic and widespread issue."
Although this act of mercy has already been practiced by other priests in the United States, Jesuit priest Rev. James Martin expressed his delight on the Pope's decision. "What's new is that Pope Francis, at least for the Year of Mercy, is universalizing this permission," he said. "Just as notable is his pastoral, compassionate and understanding tone towards women who have had abortions."
"It's another signal that the Pope wants a church of encounter that journeys with people," said Faith in Public Life's Catholic program director, John Gehring. "He recognizes the church is anchored in the Gospel when mercy trumps finger-wagging judgment."
Since his papacy started in March 2013, Pope Francis has been opening Church doors for the commonly condemned: gays, lesbians, and divorced women. In this year of mercy, the Pope sets as an epitome of God's forgiveness by welcoming repentance from those who committed abortion.
