Pope Francis Says It’s Selfish To Choose Pets Over Having Children

In recent remarks delivered to a general audience, Pope Francis scored couples who prefer pets over children. He said that their decision to give up parenthood can lead to a loss of humanity.

In addition, preferring pets over children can ultimately lead to civilization’s decline.

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Pope Francis Criticizes Couples Who Prefer Pets Over Children

Pope Francis made his comments when he spoke about Saint Joseph, the human father of Jesus Christ. The Holy Patriarch talked about the virtues of Saint Joseph.

Then, he changed course and chose to talk about modern adoption and orphaned children. From there, it was easy to talk about couples who prefer animals instead of children. 

The Pope warned about the dangers of losing humanity. “We see that people do not want to have children, or just one and no more.

And many, many couples do not have children because they do not want to, or they have just one — but they have two dogs, two cats … Yes, dogs and cats take the place of children.

Yes, it's funny, I understand, but it is the reality. And this denial of fatherhood or motherhood diminishes us, it takes away our humanity.

In this way, civilization becomes aged and without humanity, because it loses the richness of fatherhood and motherhood. Our homeland suffers, as it does not have children.”

The Importance of Bearing Children

Many see the remarks as surprising, not because of the content but because they came from Pope Francis. The latest successor to St. Peter is popular as a progressive pontiff who put simplicity over others.

However, Pope Francis still echoed the centuries’ old stance of the Catholic Church on the importance of bearing children. 

The Holy See suggested that couples who cannot biologically conceive children should consider adopting. He warned of a forthcoming “demographic winter” in countries with declining birth rates.

He challenged his audience to get children in need of parents. “How many children in the world are waiting for someone to take care of them?

Having a child is always a risk, either naturally or by adoption. But it is riskier not to have them. It is riskier to deny fatherhood, or to deny motherhood, be it real or spiritual,” he said. 

Not His First Encounter With Pets

This is not the first time the Pope spoke about couples who would rather have dogs or cats than kids. In 2014, he made similar remarks about people who prioritize pets over their own children.

In addition, he made comments that many interpreted as a belief that all animals go to heaven. However, that analysis led to more questions than answers. 

At the same time, the Pope also publicly interacts with animals over the years. Many photographs of the Holy Father show him cuddling dogs and cats as well as other exotic animals like koalas, tigers, and others. However, nobody thinks that Pope Francis himself has his own pet. 

Watch the Guardian News reporting that Pope Francis says owning cats and dogs instead of having children is ‘selfish':

Do you agree with Pope Francis criticizing couples who prefer pets over having children? Or, do you think otherwise?

Let us know what you think about the pope’s latest remarks. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.