(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis conceded to priests during the upcoming Holy Year the disposition to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and seek forgiveness for it.

He also expressed his hope that solutions may soon be found to recover full communion with the Fraternity of St Pius X. 

In an articulated letter addressed to the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, the Pope focused on a series of points which he said "require attention to enable the celebration" of the upcoming Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

Highlighting the fact that the Holy Year must be a true moment of encounter and closeness to the Lord for all believers, Pope Francis addressed the question of Jubilee Indulgences which - he said - represent a genuine experience of God's mercy.  

And to the traditional list of all the ways one may obtain an Indulgence by crossing a Holy Door or a Door of Mercy, the Pope added a couple of dispositions and requests pointing out that in every occasion, the solemn moment must be linked, first and foremost, to the profession of faith, deep repentance, the celebration of the Eucharist and a reflection on mercy.

In the letter Pope Francis specifically turns his attention to women who have resorted to abortion and "bear the scar of this agonizing and painful decision" saying the forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented. "For this reason - he writes - I have decided 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".

Pointing out that a Jubilee Year has often constituted an opportunity for a great amnesty, the Pope includes prisoners in his list of believers seeking pardon, whom he says, may obtain the Indulgence in the chapels of the jails. 

And holding out the possibility of obtaining an Indulgence to the sick, the elderly, the homebound and even the deceased, the Pope never neglects to point out that the experience of mercy must be visible in works of faith, hope and charity.

Finally, turning to those faithful who for various reasons choose to attend churches officiated by priests of the Fraternity of St. Pius X, Pope Francis said they too will validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins, trusting that in the near future full communion will be recovered with Rome.