Pope Francis Says Catholics Must Practice 'Responsible Parenthood'

Pope Francis has spoken out on the use of birth control in the Phillipines, saying that Catholics must avoid the controversial drug while still practicing "responsible parenthood" and natural family planning methods. 

After capping off his week-long visit to Asia, Pope Francis told reporters on a flight from Manila to Rome that Catholics should abide by approved natural family planning methods and not feel that they have to "breed like rabbits."

Francis told reporters that the church promotes "responsible parenthood," adding "Some think, excuse me if I use the word, that in order to be good Catholics, we have to be like rabbits - but no."

The pontiff emphasized the importance of practicing "responsible parenthood" as Catholics by abiding by approved natural family planning methods that usually include a husband and wife remaining abstinent during the wife's fertile cycle if the couple does not want children during that time.

Francis gave the example of a woman who recently told him she had seven children, and wanted another one but knew the pregnancy would put her life at risk. Francis said the woman was "tempting God" and should be careful not to leave her seven children as orphans.

"That was an irresponsibility," Francis said aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 8010 during his January 19 press conference.

"I believe that openness to life conditions the sacrament of matrimony. A man cannot give the sacrament to the woman, and the woman give it to him, if they are not in agreement on this point to be open to life," Pope Francis said.