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Pope Francis on New Year's Day: "Demographic Winter"
Photo: Andrew Medichini / AP
Pope Francis addressed couples with drastic words: Civilization is getting older and older and it lacks humanity because one loses the wealth of parenting, warned the head of the Catholic Church.
A country without children is suffering.
The Pope specifically criticized all those couples who do not want to have children.
"So many couples don't have children because they don't want one, or they only have one because they don't want any more, but they have two dogs, two cats," said the 85-year-old on Wednesday at the general audience in the Vatican audience hall numerous believers.
“Dogs and cats take the place of the children.
Yes, I understand, that makes you laugh, but that's the reality, "said the head of the Catholic Church.
On Boxing Day, he had already spoken of a "demographic winter" when the further drop in the birth rate in Italy was published.
"Anyone who lives and marries in the world must remember to have children," said the pontiff.
Having children naturally or through adoption is a risk, but not having one is even more risky.
kha / dpa