Francis X. Rocca reports for The Wall Street Journal that Pope Francis is allowing women who have had abortions to be forgiven by the Catholic Church during a “year of mercy” beginning this December. Traditionally, church law excommunicates “anyone who willingly participates in an abortion.” The pope explains his decision is part of a greater mission of mercy and compassion: “I am well aware of the pressure the pressure that has led them to this decision. I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision.”