PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It’s a step in the right direction. That’s what some Philadelphians involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS are saying about Pope Benedict’s soon-to-be-published comments about condoms.

In a book to be released Tuesday, the Pope indicated that, in some situations, use of condoms to prevent AIDS might be a morally justifiable act.

With World AIDS Day coming up December 1st, Robb Reichard with the AIDS Project in Philadelphia says anytime a world leader talks about HIV/AIDS it draws awareness to the epidemic:

“Certainly the acknowledgment that condoms can be effective in the prevention of HIV, it’s important that the church has acknowledged that and it does seem to be a change in past statements.”

Chris Bartlett is the executive director of the William Way LGBT Community Center in center city.

“I think it points to the gradual influence of science based decision making. The fact that the Pope used the term ‘risk reduction’, a term that we used for years. Anything we can do to reduce the risk of HIV or STD transmission between human beings if obviously a good thing.”

Reported By John McDevitt, KYW Newsradio