Both men, women can use Condom: Pope

London, Nov 24: Both men and women can use condom as it is lesser evil than transmitting HIV to partner, stated he Pope Benedict XVI amid several controversies.

It was earlier thought that he was referring only to condom use by HIV-positive male prostitutes.

But Vatican spokesman Reverend Federico Lombardi told reporters that he asked the Pope whether he intended his comments to apply only to male prostitutes.

He said that Benedict XVI replied that it really did not matter that the important thing was the person in question took into consideration the life of the other.

The issue follows a series of interviews the Pope has given to a German journalist, Peter Seewald, for a book published, "Light of the World."

In translations of the released passages, Benedict XVI told Seewald, "There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralisation. On the way toward recovering an awareness that not everything is allowed and that one cannot do whatever one wants."

He said condoms were not "a real or moral solution" but could be justified in certain cases.

ANI