The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Pope Francis suggests contraception could be permissible in Zika fight

February 18, 2016 at 5:35 p.m. EST
Pope Francis alights from his plane upon arriving in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Feb. 17. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis told reporters Thursday that using artificial contraception may be morally acceptable in fighting the Zika virus, but called abortion another situation entirely, akin to “what the Mafia does.”

Francis’s comment came on the plane ride back to Rome from Mexico. During the week-long trip, the pope had not addressed the virus, which has hit Latin American countries hardest.