Renowned sexpert Pope Benedict XVI, reversing or at least detouring from the Catholic church’s hard-line stance against contraception, now says that condoms might be a good idea for prostitutes.

Benedict claimed that the use of condoms could reduce HIV transmission, especially among sex workers. But he went on to say that the “sheer fixation on the condom implies a banalization of sexuality.” –JCL

The BBC:

Pope Benedict XVI has said the use of condoms is acceptable “in certain cases”, according to a new book.

He said condoms could reduce the risk of infection with HIV, such as for a prostitute, in a series of interviews he gave to a German journalist.

The Vatican newspaper ran excerpts on Saturday.

Read more

 WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...

This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.

At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.

Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.

Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.

Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.

Donate now.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG