Argentina to legalize abortion after historic Senate vote

• Argentina is the birthplace of Pope Francis, who has previously voiced opposition to abortion, likening the procedure to hiring a "hitman."
• The pope weighed into Argentina's debate the day before the vote, "praising a women's group from impoverished neighborhoods for its activism against abortion," the New York Times reports.

Details: Thousands of pro- and anti-abortion protesters waited outside Argentina's Congress as lawmakers debated the measure for some 12 hours.

• Under the bill, exceptions to the elective 14-week abortion limit will be made in cases of rape and in regards to the health of a pregnant woman.

The big picture: Latin America is known for its socially conservative views on abortion, with Uruguay Guyana and Cuba the only nations in the region to permit abortions upon request.

• Abortions were previously only allowed in Argentina in order to save a woman's life or in cases of rape or incest. Argentine senators have voted against nine abortion bills over the past 15 years, the Washington Post notes.

• The Roman Catholic Church's domination in the country is decreasing as a feminist movement continues to rise, the NYT notes.

What to watch: Pro-abortion rights momentum is building in Latin America and Argentina's vote may influence other countries in the region to introduce similar measures, per the Times.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.