'Pope says nothing wrong with Communion after divorce'

(ANSA) - Buenos Aires, April 23 - An Argentine woman received a telephone call from Pope Francis, who told her "there was nothing wrong" with receiving Holy Communion after divorce, Argentine media reported Wednesday. The former archbishop of Buenos Aires, who is known for responding to letters via personal calls, reportedly telephoned Jacqueline Lisboa after receiving her letter which expressed dismay at not being able to receive Communion following her marriage to a divorced man.
    In an interview with Argentine radio, Lisboa said she wrote to the pope in September 2013 to ask for advice after a parish priest refused to give her Communion and allow her to confess, and wanted to know "what to do".
    According to a Facebook post by Lisboa's husband Julio Sabetta, the pope spoke to Lisboa for 10 minutes about the predicament, saying "it is a concern we are addressing in the Vatican because there is nothing wrong with a divorced person receiving Communion". The pope added, "Go to another church and confess, there is no problem".
    Sabetta described the experience as "one of the most beautiful things of my life after the birth of my daughters," adding that Pope Francis referred to himself as "Padre Bergoglio" after his family name, and he apologized for the late response.
    Church participation represents a conundrum for divorced Catholics. In February, Francis stated that "divorced and separated couples should not be shunned from Church activities," raising speculation he may one day lift a Church ban on divorced people receiving Communion. http://popefrancisnewsapp.com/