Pope Francis allows forgiveness for women who have had abortions and are repenting the procedure.

As stated in the pope's letter issued by the Vatican on Tuesday, Roman Catholic priests can now "absolve" the sin of those who have gone through abortion and "who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it," NBC News reported. However, the order did not brought up people who carry out abortion procedures.

The temporary order is in effect only during the course of the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy, which kicks off on Dec. 8 and runs until Nov. 20, 2016, The Guardian wrote.

"The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented," the pontiff said, as quoted by The Guardian. "I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision. I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal."

The Catholic Church considers abortion as a grave sin, NBC News wrote. Women who have had the procedure are usually excommunicated, with forgiveness only granted by senior church figures.

An hour after the pope's letter was released, the Vatican issued another statement in response to a host of questions about the new order. According to the latest statement, the church still did not "condone abortion nor minimize its grave effects," The Guardian added. The fact that there are people already confessing their grave sins is enough to be thankful to God. It is also evident of the church's successful mission of finding those who were lost.

"Many bishops have granted priests permission to forgive the sin. The fact that this statement is coming from the pope in such a moving, pastoral way, is more evidence of the great pastoral approach and concern of Pope Francis," the Vatican explained, as quoted by The Guardian.

The letter does not change the church's official doctrine, but it is an evidence of Pope Francis' liberal-mindedness and his effort to reach out to Catholics who believe that the church's stance on abortion, divorce, and homosexuality is "too harsh and out of touch with modern social views," the news outlet added.

John L. Allen Jr., a Catholic commentator and associate editor of the Crux website, said that the pope's order is an example of extending mercy to anyone who searches for forgiveness, but he admitted that the decree could result to backlash from conservatives, NBC News noted.

Women who had abortions are not the only ones getting absolution. The pope's order also forgives the supporters of the Society of St. Pius X, a conservative group resisting against the Vatican, The Guardian added.