Pope Francis has elicited debate across the globe after he suggested that the Catholic Church could soon review its 1,000-year-old tradition requiring priests to practice celibacy.

In an interview with Infobae, the Pope argued that the ban instigated in the 11-century as a “temporary description” saying there is no “contradiction” for a priest to marry a woman.

The Head of the Catholic Church is of the opinion that the marital union of a priest and a woman was not conflicting with the Christian religion.

“There is no contradiction for a priest to marry. Celibacy in the western Church is a temporary prescription. It is not eternal like priestly ordination, which is forever, whether you like it or not. On the other hand, celibacy is a discipline,” the Pope said.

Celibacy was made a requirement in the Roman Catholic Church in the 11th century given clergymen who did not sire children were more likely to prefer riches over the Church.

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He said the Vatican, which is the headquarter of the Roman Catholic Church, will consider revising the century-old ban when requested, citing the example of Eastern Church.

“In fact, everyone in the Eastern Church is married, or those who want to. There they make a choice. Before ordination, there is the choice to marry or to be celibate,” he noted.

However, his current position marks a change of mind from his position in 2019, when he opposed Catholic Church allowing optional celibacy saying celibacy was a gift to the Church.

This comes barely two months after Pope Francis slammed laws that outlaw homosexuality in numerous countries across the world and termed them unjust.

The Pope says God loves all his children just as they are and urged Catholic bishops backing such “unjust” regulations to embrace members of the LGBTQ community into the church.

Terming sexuality a “sin,” he admitted that some Catholic bishops in different countries supported laws outlawing homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community.

This also comes as Germany’s Catholic Church agreed on numerous reforms, which include blessing same-sex marriages and allowing female deacons, moves seen to rock the Vatican.