![Pope's path to allow married priests for Amazon straightforward, say canon lawyers | National Catholic Reporter Pope's path to allow married priests for Amazon straightforward, say canon lawyers | National Catholic Reporter](https://www.ncronline.org/files/CNS-Synod10-9%20c.jpg)
Pope's path to allow married priests for Amazon straightforward, say canon lawyers | National Catholic Reporter
![Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church's traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff's most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis, Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church's traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff's most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis,](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DJ2H7P/retired-pope-benedict-xvi-is-publicly-defending-the-catholic-churchs-traditional-rule-of-priestly-celibacy-the-former-pontiffs-most-explicit-effort-so-far-to-influence-a-decision-by-his-successor-pope-francis-who-is-considering-a-proposal-to-routinely-ordain-married-men-as-roman-catholic-priests-for-the-first-time-in-almost-a-millennium-pope-francis-hosted-a-celebration-for-the-65th-anniversary-of-the-priestly-ordination-of-his-predecessor-benedict-the-pope-emeritus-at-the-vatican-on-june-28-2016-joseph-ratzinger-who-took-the-name-benedict-xvi-when-he-was-elected-to-the-papacy-in-2-2DJ2H7P.jpg)
Retired Pope Benedict XVI is publicly defending the Catholic Church's traditional rule of priestly celibacy, the former pontiff's most explicit effort so far to influence a decision by his successor Pope Francis,
![Very few Catholics are suggesting clerical celibacy is abolished wholesale': Married Catholic priest on the 'rift' between the two Popes Very few Catholics are suggesting clerical celibacy is abolished wholesale': Married Catholic priest on the 'rift' between the two Popes](https://i.inews.co.uk/content/uploads/2020/01/Vatican_Married_Priests_17799.jpg-324d6-scaled-640x360.jpg)
Very few Catholics are suggesting clerical celibacy is abolished wholesale': Married Catholic priest on the 'rift' between the two Popes
![Inside the pope's bedroom, Vatican secrecy and the lives of married priests: My 11-year quest to write "The Fifth Gospel" | Salon.com Inside the pope's bedroom, Vatican secrecy and the lives of married priests: My 11-year quest to write "The Fifth Gospel" | Salon.com](https://mediaproxy.salon.com/width/1200/https://media.salon.com/2015/03/pope_vatican.jpg)
Inside the pope's bedroom, Vatican secrecy and the lives of married priests: My 11-year quest to write "The Fifth Gospel" | Salon.com
![Today's papal discussion topics: Clergy sex abuse, celibacy for priests, Venezuela, abortion - The Dialog Today's papal discussion topics: Clergy sex abuse, celibacy for priests, Venezuela, abortion - The Dialog](http://thedialog.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CNS-POPE-PANAMA-PRESSER.jpg)