Q. - Regarding the strategies for combating the spread of Zika virus, advocated by WHO, Pope Francis reiterated that abortion is a crime, an absolute evil. The media talk today of an opening of the Pope to contraception. What can you tell us about that?

R. - The key issue seems to have been caught, and that the Pope speaks of abortion unacceptable as a solution. In these cases, however, unfortunately, there were some position papers or statements that seem to go in that direction instead of facilitating abortion, which for us is totally unacceptable. The Pope then distinguishes clearly the radical nature of the evil of abortion as the taking of a human life and on the other hand the possibility of recourse to contraception or condoms as may relate to cases of emergency or special situations, where then do not suppress a human life, but a pregnancy is avoided. Now it is not that he says that is accepted and used this action without any discernment, indeed, made ​​it clear that can be considered in cases of special urgency. The example that has made ​​Paul VI and the authorization to use the pill to the religious who were at very serious risk, and ongoing violence by the rebels in the Congo, to the times of the Congo war tragedies, suggests that it is not that it was a normal situation in which this was taken into account. And also - remember for instance - the discussion followed a passage from the book of Benedict XVI interview "Light of the World", in which he spoke about the use of condoms in situations at risk of infection, for example, AIDS. Then the contraceptive or condom, especially in cases of emergency and severity, may also be the subject of a serious discernment consciousness. This says the Pope. While abortion has not given to considerations of space. Then the Pope insisted that of course we must try to develop all scientific research, vaccines, in order to combat this epidemic and this risk of Zika virus, which is causing so much concern, and therefore necessary that we do not fall into panic and then in to take the guidelines or decisions that are not proportionate to the reality of the problem. So understand well the nature of the problem, continue to study it, to also react with the search, to find the most substantial and stable solutions; however, avoid an abortion and, if there were any major emergencies, then a well-formed conscience can see if there are any possibilities or need for use of non-abortifacient to prevent pregnancy.