Choosing pets over parenting? Pope Francis is (still) unhappy with you

[ltlee1]

"Pope Francis created an international press frenzy last year when he shared his candid thoughts on choosing pets over kids.

During a gathering at the Vatican in January 2022, he criticized couples who avoid having children, arguing that it’s selfish and harmful to the whole world.

His comments spread like wildfire across social media, as The New York Times noted in its coverage of the remarks.

Many people were angry at the pope for downplaying the emotional and monetary costs of having kids, while others praised him for promoting parenthood. Still others wondered why the Catholic leader wouldn’t encourage people to say yes to both pets and children.

“It is strange to think that the pope considers love in our lives to be limited in quantity, and that giving it to someone takes it away from others,” said Massimo Comparotto, the president of the Italian branch of the International Organization for the Protection of Animals, to The New York Times.

On Friday, Pope Francis waded once again into these controversial waters, when he spoke about Italy’s declining birthrate.

Appearing alongside Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, the pope once again called young pet owners “selfish” and argued that government leaders and others must work to reverse birthrate trends. "

https://www.deseret.com/faith/2023/5/12/23721827/pope-francis-quote-pets-kids-parenting

[stoney]

Having birthrate reversed is indeed about emotional and monetary costs of having kids. If one is rich, there is no problem. Even going to expensive school is feasible and affordable, too. But for the poor and not-so-poor, it is not so easy to sustain a reasonable life for them.

[bmoore]

Kinda funny that the celibate Francis is making noise about people not having kids.

[ltlee1]

Of course you are right.
Yet the Pope's view reflects
1) he sees whether to have kids as a matter of the couple's choice, and
2) he sees human more than just another biological entity like Massimo Comparotto.

[ltlee1]

To be sure, the celibate Francis, as well as all celibate monks and nuns past and present
choose a certain life style. But their life style is one of Self Abnegation* to be maintained by
strong discipline and sacrifice.

"SELF-ABNEGATION | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/self-abnegation
the act or habit of not allowing yourself to have what you like or want, often so that other people can have it"

[bmoore]

So you are suggesting that Francis became the Pope so that his non-celibate buddies could get women?

[ltlee1]

Of course there are bad apples among the rank of. But it should not difficult to see Mother Teresa and her like
were giving up the opportunity to be parents to help other parents in this life and other life.

[bmoore]

Yes, of course. But you're missing the point. Why is it wrong to not have kids?

[ltlee1]

1 and 2 together, Pope Francis is likely to be pro-choice and will distinguish human life and all other biological life.