Prior to Vatican II there were NO EXCEPTIONS. Non-Catholics (and, contrary to popular, post Vatican II belief, Catholics do not include the schismatic Orthodox) were NEVER allowed to receive communion until they CONVERTED.
Having said that, things did change since Vatican II so perhaps all of those who are so up in arms about Francis' latest "exceptions" should recognize that the changes/slippery slope started decades ago. Of course, that doesn't mean that any of the changes were/are consistent with true Catholic teaching. Is it any wonder that Catholics like yourself are falling for the latest heresy? Post-Vatican II Catholics are like frogs in a slow boil.
I've said it a million times before and I'll say it again: the issue isn't (just) Francis.
piusv:
While they may not have been able to do so, there were priests pre-Vatican II, i.e. Feeney who was making claims about Orthodox and Protestants (more outgoing fire towards protestants) and I do believe he was called on the carpet for it. This would have been during the 1940’s.
The Orthodox in terms of not receiving communion, maybe the norms for Communion were different. I use to have My Fathers pre-conciliar Roman Missal, but I don’t know what happen to it. Regardless, the Catholic Church never claimed the Orthodox Sacraments were invalid.