I wonder because I want to know whether this statement is a reaction to criticism of his policies towards Africa. Just how much does the Vatican react towards outside criticism? If the answer is only a little, that’s still a big change.

The actual argument is the same as earlier statements made by the Vatican that it might be permissible for a married couple to use condoms if they are sero-diverse and the purpose of the condoms is to prevent disease, not pregnancy (horrors!). I think it is kind of funny and strange and yes, a little hopeful, that the Pope is delving into the relative morality of different sinful acts. Classifying all sexual sin as equally “disordered” is part of what led to the abuse crisis, in my opinion — the leadership did not seem to draw a distinction between different ways of breaking vows, so that consensual sex with adults (sinful for a priest) was of an equal weight with child abuse — both sins of sexual order. It was like the relative harm to the other person never came into it. The fact that he is expressing a more nuanced view can only be healthy, and I think as you point out PhD that the fact of his mentioning diverse genders and sex workers as moral agents is the most radical (for the vatican) part of what he is saying.

Baby, baby, baby steps!