The Pope has finally given the thumbs up to condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDs – but only in special cases. AIDS workers still say it’s a breakthrough.

Up to now the Pope has always said that Catholics shouldn’t use any kind of birth control, including condoms – even as a way to stop HIV infection.

The head of UNAIDS, the United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS, called the Pope's comments a “positive step forward”.

And some Catholics have also welcomed the change of heart. “It is a marvellous victory for common sense and reason,” said the head of the US group Catholics for Choice.

Prostitute
Pope Benedict XVI makes his comments on condoms in a book which comes out on Tuesday. But he only says it would be OK to use them “in certain cases”.

As an example, he says a prostitute infected with HIV could use a condom, but only as a first step towards taking what he sees as a more “moral” approach to sex.

The head of the Catholic Church still doesn’t think condoms are the way to stop “the evil of HIV infection”. And he argues that putting all the focus on condoms makes sex seem like it’s “only a sort of drug", rather than an expression of love.

Criticism
The Pope has come in for heavy criticism in the past for his tough anti-condom views. AIDS organisations say that one of the best ways to stop the virus is to encourage people to have safe sex using condoms.