Pope: Priest 'Celibacy Is Not a Dogma'

Sure, Catholic priests are usually celibate—but that tradition has only been around for about 1,000 years, Reuters notes. And according to Pope Francis, "celibacy is not a dogma." He tells reporters that "it is a rule of life that I appreciate very much and I think it is a gift for the Church, but since it is not a dogma, the door is always open" to changing policies. It was the first time Francis had addressed the issue as pope, though he had said similar things as archbishop.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, the pope also noted that papal retirements like his predecessor's could be the new normal, Reuters reports. "I think that Benedict XVI is not a unique case. I think we should see him as an institution who opened a door, the door of emeritus popes." Would Francis ever retire? "I will do what the Lord tells me to do," he said. In the same press conference aboard his plane, he discussed a "zero tolerance" policy for child abuse and noted that inviting the presidents of Israel and Palestine to the Vatican was a spontaneous move, the Washington Post reports. (More Catholic priest stories.)