"Couple Raising Dogs and Cats Instead of Children Called 'Selfish'... Pope's Remarks Face Backlash"

"Children Generally Do Not Use Pets"

Pope Francis.
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Pope Francis has criticized couples who do not have children but keep pets as selfish, sparking backlash against his remarks.

Earlier, on the 5th (local time), during a general audience mass held at the Vatican, Pope Francis said, "Nowadays, people either do not have children or want to have only one, yet they keep two dogs and two cats. This is a form of selfishness."

On the 6th, the British daily The Guardian reported, "Criticism that the Pope is out of touch with reality or that his remarks are sexist has been predominant, with pet owners in particular pushing back."

Sophie Rusby, a National Health Service (NHS) administrator in Belfast, UK, pointed out regarding the Pope's remarks, "Not everyone can have children, nor must they," calling his comments "truly naive and insensitive."

Nesty Nudge, a jeweler from London, said, "Considering low income and harsh labor market conditions, having children today is a luxury."

Steph, who works in education, said, "I don't think people keep dogs instead of children," adding that in her hometown Brighton, many people keep dogs and treat them like children. She herself takes her dog on overseas vacations and feels the dog is a 'member of the family.'

Deborah Wells, a psychologist at Queen's University Belfast, explained, "Being with pets reduces owners' depression and loneliness and boosts self-esteem," adding, "There is no evidence that people use pets as substitutes for children; rather, the owners themselves are dependent and form strong attachment bonds with pets that require care."

The Guardian noted, "The Pope's recent remarks appear to reflect the reality of declining birth rates in Europe over the past 70 years."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.