Pope Francis: Be Responsible Parents, Don't Breed Like Rabbits

Pope Francis is advising Catholics that they should be responsible parents in having children and not to breed "like rabbits."

The Pope made the comment on board his flight back to Rome after spending a fruitful visit to the Philippines where an estimated 6 million people attended a mass he officiated.

He was asked during a talk with the media about his stand on the population explosion in the Philippines, which is being faulted as one of the reasons why poverty persists in the predominantly Catholic nation, and contraception, which has been a contentious issue between the Catholic Church and the government in the Philippines.

Pope Francis said according to experts, three children in a family is an ideal set-up advised by experts "to keep the population going."

"When this decreases, the other extreme happens, like what is happening in Italy. I have heard, I do not know if it is true, that in 2024 there will be no money to pay pensioners because of the fall in population," he said, according to the Catholic News Agency.

The best thing that couples should do, the Pope said, is adopt "responsible parenthood."

"How do we do this? With dialogue. Each person with his pastor seeks how to do carry out a responsible parenthood," he said.

Pope Francis said it is irresponsible to have children than one can't afford. "That example I mentioned shortly before about that woman who was expecting her eighth child and already had seven who were born with caesareans. That is an irresponsibility," he said.

He said to become good Catholics, some people think that they should breed like rabbits.

"That woman might say 'no, I trust in God.' But, look, God gives you means to be responsible. Some think that -- excuse the language -- that in order to be good Catholics, we have to be like rabbits. No," he said, adding that responsible parenthood is the key.

"This is clear and that is why in the Church there are marriage groups, there are experts in this matter, there are pastors, one can search; and I know so many ways that are licit and that have helped this," he said.

Pope Francis said for most poor people, a child is a blessing. "It is true that you have to be prudent here too, but for them a child is a treasure. Some would say 'God knows how to help me' and perhaps some of them are not prudent, this is true. Responsible paternity, but let us also look at the generosity of that father and mother who see a treasure in every child," he said.