Pope Benedict says condoms acceptable in exceptional circumstances

Pope Benedict the sixteenth has said the use of condoms is acceptable in exceptional circumstances.



In a series of interviews given to a German journalist, the pope said condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection, such as for a male prostitute.



However, he said a more humane attitude to sexuality, and not condom use, was the proper way to combat HIV infection.



The comments were made in a new book, which the Vatican newspaper ran excerpts of in its Saturday edition.



The church's hardline stance over contraception has led to the Vatican being heavily criticised for its position in the context of the AIDS crisis.