Update: Spokesman's clarification of Pope Benedict's remarks about condoms

ZENIT are carrying a statement issued by the director of the Vatican Press Office, about the position expressed by Pope Benedict with regard to condom use.

This presents a threefold strategy in favour of overcoming HIV/AIDS: education in the responsibility of persons in the use of sexuality, and the affirmation of the role of marriage and the family; research into treatments for HIV/AIDS and the making available of those treatments as widely as possible; human and spiritual assistance to those suffering from AIDS.

The concluding paragraph of the statement is very nuanced:

These are the directions in which the Church concentrates her commitment, considering that, to seek essentially a greater diffusion of condoms, is not in reality the best way, the broadest view or the most effective way to address the scourge of AIDS and to safeguard human life.