Culture

The Best Reactions To The Pope Claiming Couples Having Pets Instead Of Kids Are Selfish

"Interesting words from the Pope, who has apparently forgotten he has himself deliberately chosen not to have children."

by Merryana Salem  10 January 2022
pope francis kids photo

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While addressing an audience on Wednesday about Saint Joseph, AKA Jesus’ dad here on earth, Pope Francis commented on his concern for people not having children.

His exact words were said in admiration for Saint Joseph for choosing to raise Jesus as his son, but the pontiff quickly steered into expressing judgement for those who chose not to have children. “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,” the Pope said.

“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.”

So, according to Pope Francis, we’re losing our humanity because *checks notes* some people are choosing to get pets. Never mind that the reasons for people choosing not to have children are varied and complex, ranging from the deeply personal to the existential dilemma of bringing a child into a world under threat from climate change.

Regardless, folks were not having it. Many took to Twitter to point out the hypocrisy of the childless Pope’s statements, while others simply shared loving pics of their pets. Some even pointed to the Catholic church’s deeply disturbing history with children as just another reason why a high and mighty stance on having children doesn’t look great on them.

This isn’t the first time Pope Francis has expressed his concern over couples prioritising pets. Back in 2014, he claimed childless married couples who chose pets would end up living in “bitterness.” Clearly, the man has never experienced the joys of booping your pet’s nose, or learned to mind his business.

Check out some of the best reactions to the Pope’s comments below.