For the past four years, Pope Francis has participated in Italy's “General State of Birthrate,” a forum dedicated to addressing the serious birth decline across Europe, especially in Italy.
This year, the Pope's speech was direct. He began with criticizing the idea of global overpopulation.
POPE FRANCIS
The problem is not how many of us there are in the world, but what world we are building; that is the problem. It is not the children, but the selfishness.
He said that the problem of the lack of children is a consequence of a system that prevents humans from seeing one another as a gift. He said that one of the consequences of this system is selfishness and consumerism.
POPE FRANCIS
Homes become filled with objects and emptied of children, becoming very sad places. There is no shortage—no shortage of little dogs, cats, these are not missing. There is a shortage of children.
The Pope continued his direct appeal by stating that some of the world's priorities are sickening.
POPE FRANCIS
A demographic researcher told me this fact—that right now the investments that draw in the most money are weapons factories and contraceptives. One destroys life, the other prevents life. And these are the investments that make the most money.
At one point, the spontaneity of the children took center stage.
POPE FRANCIS
But don't give up… How are you? But don't give up… Where was I?
Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of holding a close relationship with grandparents. He said a key to life is combining the fearlessness of the youth with the wisdom of the elderly.
JRB
TR: AT
