Many pointed out the hypocrisy of such statements coming from Pope Francis when he himself chose not to have children.
Pope Francis this week took aim at people who choose to have pets instead of children—or simply have no children at all—by arguing that their decision leads to a loss of "humanity" and is a detriment to civilization as a whole. Speaking to a general audience about Saint Joseph on Wednesday, the 85-year-old said: "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."
Leader of world's largest pyramid scheme upset that membership is dropping https://t.co/p8wt20ihRp
— taddy mason (@no_goblins) January 5, 2022
"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," he added. "We need to be open to motherhood and fatherhood otherwise we can be lacking in ourselves and we can lack in humanity." The pope's controversial statements did not go down well on social media as many commented on the hypocrisy of such statements coming from Francis when he himself chose not to have children and pointed out the irony of an institution that has grappled with a legacy of child sexual abuse criticizing people for not having kids.
Interesting words from the Pope, who has apparently forgotten he has himself deliberately chosen not to have children.https://t.co/MFvcRi0U7s
— Cllr Leo Montague (@LeoMontague91) January 5, 2022
Here are 25 of the funniest tweets about the Pope's thoughts on other people raising children:
when the pope gets mad at people who don't have children https://t.co/13Xi3no5mb pic.twitter.com/lXrg6YPuvG
— Boxing David (@damnyouwillis) January 6, 2022
NEWS: Catholic Church says it likes little children, wants more kids https://t.co/EmURyM5q8Y
— LeGate (@williamlegate) January 5, 2022
Woof. Catholic priests out here begging for kids.
— Atra Asdou (@AtraAsdou) January 6, 2022
Supply chain shortage affects us all differently, I guess? https://t.co/FuOCltlBVY
I have no idea what you're talking about and neither does my son https://t.co/8H9KgLuCZI pic.twitter.com/PJzwzaqNNy
— Krystal LaPorte (@WowSuchKrystal) January 6, 2022
Now tell everyone what the Church thinks of same-sex couples having or adopting children. https://t.co/ag5zFKytat
— Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) January 6, 2022
HOL UP HOW MANY KIDS DO POPES HAVE https://t.co/ojVrOP2FbL
— Bunsen and BEAKER (@bunsenbernerbmd) January 6, 2022
Pet owner calls Pope who chooses living in a city of gold over paying abuse survivors 'selfish' https://t.co/w0EGTgqwbe
— Emily (@emilydawnlove) January 5, 2022
Wonderful sentiment from a man who chose his career over having children. https://t.co/I5aSalXD4M
— Tim Stevens (@Tim_Stevens) January 5, 2022
I thought I was just choosing “a life of travel and freedom” but honestly, contributing to the “loss of humanity” is metal as hell https://t.co/UU2S7HdsqE
— Tawny Newsome (@TrondyNewman) January 6, 2022
You want priests to resort to molesting pets you selfish assholes https://t.co/dxTeomCCLn
— Lauren Hough (@laurenthehough) January 5, 2022
Is the pope going to pay for my kid's college? https://t.co/l10QSjMVmy
— andi zeisler (@andizeisler) January 5, 2022
if i were the head of the catholic church i would avoid the topic of children altogether https://t.co/DRZg61FLrh
— hag is a slur (@politicaIesbian) January 5, 2022
Spoken by a pope who’s clearly never had a dog
— Sarah Cooper (@sarahcpr) January 5, 2022
Er… How is not wanting to have kids so you can keep your tits in stupendous condition selfish??? https://t.co/DWsyFSF6b6
— Kate Lister (@k8_lister) January 6, 2022
Sheesh. What am I then? I don’t even have pets. Then again I’m single and childfree. LIKE JESUS. https://t.co/slc0O6L1hE
— JEN KIRKMAN (@JenKirkman) January 6, 2022
I’m selfish and I love my angry son who will never go to college https://t.co/Mv1pmCW3Js pic.twitter.com/QBum0XisCq
— 🐓Holly (@HollyConrad) January 6, 2022
Dude thinks I would have kids if it weren’t for my pets 💀 https://t.co/750BAUdfWZ
— Cristine with no ‘H’ 💿 (@nailogical) January 6, 2022
I bet this guy has so many kids right? https://t.co/dHlhFGo7pd
— Jorts (and Jean) (@JortsTheCat) January 6, 2022
man who has taken lifelong vow of celibacy thinks straight people are not having enough kids, ignores the thousands in foster care https://t.co/CYXBxC1KaX
— Mx. D.E. Anderson (@diannaeanderson) January 5, 2022
Every time the pope calls me selfish I add another dog. pic.twitter.com/LfZM2BHqzq
— Inchen (@Inalein_19) January 6, 2022
I’m sorry, didn’t realise I owed Pope Francis a newborn
— Kerry-Anne Mendoza 🏳️🌈 (@TheMendozaWoman) January 5, 2022
Ffs 🤦🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/nup8AuOLkm
Also what about a bald cat who looks like a baby? Is that selfish too? Or sort of "grey area"? Quick reply appreciated.
— Aisling Bea (@WeeMissBea) January 6, 2022
Can't believe the Pope is gonna make me tap the sign again. pic.twitter.com/aqr4HVCgFQ
— Move Left, Idiots! (@moveleftpod) January 6, 2022
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