"The catholic church may consider making married men priest." Pope Francis.

Leader of the catholic church, Pope Francis has made known plans of the church to change tradition and take up married men as priests.

The pope made this known during an interview with German newspaper, die zeit.

The pope stated that the rules may change due to the shortage of priest in some remote areas.

"We must think about whether viri probati are a possibility. Then we have to decide what tasks they can take on, for example in remote communities."

Members of the church have welcomed the new development and pointed out that older married men with long commitment to the church should be considered alongside those who took an oath of celibacy.