Pope urges generosity to counter declining birth rates
May 10, 2024
» Continue to this story on Vatican News
CWN Editor's Note: Speaking at an Italian conference on the declining birth rate, Pope Francis rebuked the proponents of the now-discredited “population explosion” theory, who “talked about human beings as if they were problems.”
The Pope first said there is “an urgent need for effective policies” to combat the birth dearth, saying that governments should help younger generations. Next he suggested “a culture of generosity and intergenerational solidarity.”
“Have children, lots of them,” said the Pope—who in the past has cautioned parents against having too many children.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
May. 12, 2024 5:24 AM ET USA
Partial knowledge can be a dangerous thing, especially when tied to the zeitgeist. I read that Francis took a few courses in chemistry as an undergraduate. Perhaps in his mind this qualifies him to make "magisterial" pronouncements about political hot potatoes like global warming and "overpopulation". In the past he failed to insist on technological remedies and Catholic principles, instead favoring outdated Malthusian fantasies, but it now dawns on him that Catholic principles are the solution.
