Associated Press: Philippine bishops back pope’s remarks on Zika contraception
“Despite their staunch opposition to contraceptives, Philippine Roman Catholic bishops expressed their full support Saturday to Pope Francis’ remarks suggesting artificial contraception can be used by women threatened by the Zika virus…” (Gomez, 2/20).

Los Angeles Times: Pope Francis isn’t the only religious leader to give a surprising boost to contraception
“…In the U.S., many religious institutions are locked in an acrimonious fight with the federal government over birth control that is set to go before the Supreme Court next month. Elsewhere, by contrast, faith-based groups are increasingly linking arms with governments and health officials in a global effort to expand access to birth control…” (Levey, 2/19).

Wall Street Journal: Pope Urges More Reliance on Individual Conscience
“The Catholic Church prohibits both contraception and abortion. But by putting them on very different moral planes this week, Pope Francis cracked the door to a more-open approach on artificial birth control — and to a greater emphasis on the role of individual conscience. The question of when and how a Catholic may follow his or her own conscience in matters of sexual and medical ethics has implications far beyond contraception…” (Rocca, 2/19).