Choosing animals instead of babies has been suggested as ‘selfish’ by the Pope.
During a general audience at the Vatican in Rome, Pope Francis spoke about the ‘demographic winter’ these days.
He explained that people without children are 'diminished' and 'it takes away our humanity.'
Premier was told within Pope Francis’ speech: “And today, with orphanhood, there is a certain selfishness.
“The other day, I spoke about the demographic winter there is nowadays, in which 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.”
”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.”