Nowadays, a lot of married couples don’t want to have children and want to focus on other things in their lives. But we live in a society where being married and not having kids is just not okay! And how can you not expect the innumerable speculations and all that gossip amongst all the padosis and rishtedaars if you want to be an independent and childfree couple, huh? Well, Pope Francis is also quite concerned about the fact that these couples are choosing to raise pets over children. In fact, he went as far as calling them ‘selfish’.
While speaking about parenthood to the general audience at the Vatican on 5 January, Pope Francis opened up about his ‘concern’ for childfree couples. He said that people who prefer to have pets instead of their own children are selfish and it ‘takes away our humanity’. He said, “Today … we see a form of selfishness. We see that some people do not want to have a child. Sometimes they have one, and that’s it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may make people laugh but it is a reality,” He further added, “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. And in this way, civilization becomes aged and without humanity because it loses the richness of fatherhood and motherhood. And our homeland suffers, as it does not have children.”
The 85-year-old said that potential parents should not be afraid of having children. Pope Francis suggested that couples who cannot conceive due to biological reasons should adopt children. “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. He made the comments to motivate people to have more children that will eventually solve the ‘demographic winter’ problem in the West.
But it seems like a lot of people disagree with Pope Francis. Many pet lovers and parents were not happy with the ‘selfish’ remark made by the Pope and took to social media to voice their opinions and criticise him.
Take a look at their reactions:
Who does @Pontifex #PopeFrancis think he is telling people what to do with their bodies? It’s 2022. The world is a horrific place. I never want children. So many struggling financially & you’re worried about demographics?! I’m good with my pets, thanks! 🐾
— 🇺🇦❤️ (@crazy_cremello) January 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/imagineaworld13/status/1478874985871593483?s=20
#PopeFrancis when he finds out I am against having children pic.twitter.com/RFP7hL4Hoe
— ✿Natalie✿ (@DriftingFaIIing) January 5, 2022
@Pontifex Pope Francis, please spare a moment to recall that St Francis of Assisi befriended animals, going so far as to call them his brothers and sisters, and he even preached to animals as he would to humans. They are worthy of our love #PopeFrancis #StFrancisOfAssisi
— Coleen (@ColeenOHanley) January 6, 2022
Man with pampered lifestyle and no kids derides struggling people with no kids as "selfish." #PopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/ozRCXBj2tQ
— The Drake 🏴☠️ (@ifyou_seekaye) January 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/OliviaMackSmith/status/1479162616790589449?s=20
This is the same head of the church that refuses to apologize for what they've done to Indigenous children around the world.
— Robyn L: Itisahwâkan (@RobynWinsEnnit) January 6, 2022
I will take pet owners as a potential threat to civilization over his church's idea of what is civilized for children.#PopeFrancis https://t.co/bAa8zaAPrJ
1)#PopeFrancis took the name of the patron saint of animals.
— Reverend Michael Coren (@michaelcoren) January 6, 2022
2)Having children is a choice, not an obligation.
3)Catholic opposition to birth control and abortion rights doesn't lead to loving families.
4)This is yet another issue that Jesus never mentioned. https://t.co/XiyUUPvsZC
Also Read: Pope Francis Says Women Can Read At Mass But Can’t Be Ordained As Priests. Baby Steps, Right?
Parenthood is a huge responsibility and requires the couple to be mentally, physically and financially prepared for it first. And TBH, it’s high time to leave these couples alone and let them make their own decision of birthing a child, being childfree, or wanting to treat their pets as their own baby.
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