Pope Francis: Church should consider allowing married priests

March 10 (UPI) -- To combat a shortage of priests, Pope Francis said the Roman Catholic Church must consider allowing married men to join the priesthood, and consider what role they could play.

During an interview with Germany's Die Zeit, Francis said the lack of Catholic priests is an "enormous problem" for the Church.

He said the Church should consider allowing viri probati -- married men tested to be of exemplary religious faith and virtue -- to be ordained as priests.

"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," Francis said.

The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests welcomed the pope's comments.

The pope, however, said current priests would not be allowed to marry.

"Voluntary celibacy is not a solution," Francis said.

The Church believes priests should not marry based on interpretations of the Bible and because priests should act as Jesus Christ acted, and, like Christ, should be celibate.

The Church already allows some married men to become priests. Protestant priests who are married can convert to Catholicism and become priest if they have their wives' blessing, CNN reported. Eastern Catholic Churches that are in communion with the Roman Catholic Church can maintain their tradition of married priests.