Rome, February 23, 2015:Pope Francis has reportedly suggested that he may be open to the idea of married men being ordained priests in the Catholic Church, saying that the issue “is in his diary,” reports The Tablet.

Francis was quoted by priests from the Diocese of Rome who met him at the Vatican on Thursday. The Bishop of Rome traditionally meets the priests of his diocese during Lent.

The Pope addressed them on the theme of homiletics and then took questions.

Francis reportedly told the priests that last week he celebrated Mass with five priests who were marking the golden anniversary of their ordination, and that five priests who had left the priesthood to marry were also present.

According to the Italian bishops’ paper, L’Avvenire, the Pope addressed the issue of married priests. A priest and theologian who supports the ordination of married men, Giovanni Cereti, recalled the case of the Eastern Churches, where married men can be ordained priests, unlike in the Latin Rite. In his reply Francis reportedly said “the issue is in my diary.”

Another priest who was there told an American news agency recalled Francis’ words as: “I would not store this question in an archive”.

The Holy See press office has released eight minutes of audio from the two-hour meeting, but no official summary or transcription..