A childhood friend of Pope Francis has claimed that he intends to overturn the centuries-old ban on Catholic priests from getting married and that he told a divorcee 'living in sin' that she could receive Holy Communion.
The Pope considers the law on priestly celibacy 'archaic' and 'not part of the doctrine of the Church', according to the confidante.
The friend also claimed the Argentinian-born pope also vowed to reform another Catholic rule which bars divorced people in new relationships from taking the Holy Communion, MailOnline can reveal.
According to Oscar Crespo, Pope Francis said that changing the Catholic law which bars civil divorcees from taking a full part in church life is the 'number one priority' of his papacy.
Close: Oscar Crespo, 77, grew up with Pope Francis in Buenos Aires and is pictured here during his trip to see him in the Vatican in October. According to Mr Crespo, the Pope set out his 'number one priority'
Goodwill: Mr Crespo said that the Pope (pictured on Sunday during a visit to the Roman Parish of Santa Maria Madre del Redentore a Tor Bella Monaca) passed a message through him to a divorced woman that she could receive Holy Communion
Mr Crespo said that the Pope, 78, also sent a message to a divorced woman 'living in sin' with a new partner assuring her that she was free to confess and receive the Eucharist.
The Catholic church doesn't recognise divorce, considering that anyone who remarries or starts a sexual relationship with another person other than the one they first married is committing adultery.
Taking Holy Communion while in a state of sin is considered an even graver sin.
Argentinian teacher Claudia Garcia Larumbe had sent a message to the Pope via Mr Crespo asking if she really was excluded from confessing or taking communion after moving in with her new partner.
After Mr Crespo reminded the Pope that church law 'forbids' divorcees in new relationships from partaking in the holy sacraments, Francis said: 'Just tell her the Pope said that she can'.
Ms Larumbe, 39, told MailOnline she was 'speechless and emotional' after receiving the Holy Father's personal dispensation to partake in the key Catholic sacraments.
The revelations will bring fresh hope to millions of civilly divorced churchgoers, as well as thousands of clergymen who are increasingly uncomfortable about their lifetime celibacy vows.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2972258/Pope-wants-scrap-centuries-old-ban-priests-marrying-told-divorced-woman-living-sin-receive-Holy-Communion-claims-confidante.html#ixzz3UGz47UQ6
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