On his return trip Monday to Rome from
visiting Africa, Pope Francis was asked whether condoms can be
condoned in the fight against AIDS.
The Roman Catholic Church has faced
criticism for its opposition to condoms.
During a visit to Africa, Pope Benedict
XVI, Francis' predecessor, said that condoms could actually make the
AIDS epidemic worse.
The disease has ravaged Kenya and
Uganda, two of the nations the pope visited.
The question about the church's
position on condoms was presented during Francis' in-flight press
conference, the AP reported. He dismissed the question, saying that
there are more pressing issues confronting humanity.
“I don't like getting into questions
or reflections that are so technical when people die because they
don't have water or food or housing,” Francis said.
In Uganda, Pope Francis visited with
HIV-infected children and kissed each one.