Cautious welcome for Pope's condom comments

The Vatican says the Pope's comments on condoms is evidence of his compassion (Reuters, file photo: Erin Siegal)

AIDS activists have cautiously welcomed Pope Benedict XVI's comments that the use of condoms may be acceptable to stop the spread of HIV.

In a forthcoming book, the Pope says the use of contraceptives by male prostitutes could be justified as reducing the risk of infection.

In the past, the Vatican has been criticised for its opposition to all forms of contraception.

South African AIDS and Society research unit deputy director Rebecca Hodes has welcomed the Pope's new stance.

"[It's] a very welcome development, particularly in light of the fact that there is so much evidence that proves that condoms are one of the most effective preventative means we have of protecting the health of people living in places like sub-Saharan Africa with very high rates of HIV," she said.

But Catholic Voices group coordinator Austen Ivereigh says the comments do not signal a major shift in the Vatican's stance on contraceptives.

"What he's saying is that condoms are not the solution to AIDS," he said. "Condoms make it worse, because condoms send a message that casual sex is OK.

"If the intention is to prevent infection then it may be, he said, in the case where people who are already acting immorally and irresponsibly, the first assumption of taking responsibility."

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi described the Pope's comments as evidence of his compassion for all people.

"The Pope looks with great affection and trust to the future of humanity," he said.

"He doesn't shy away from problems. He obviously speaks to the problem of injustice, of ecology, of the problem of drugs, of sexual tourism, but all this with great optimism