Pope Francis br Urges People To Havebr Children Over Pets , in Light of br Falling Birth Rates.br Pope Francis br Urges People To Havebr Children Over Pets , in Light of br Falling Birth Rates.br The pontiff made br the statements during br his weekly Vatican br address on Jan. 5.br He referred to a "form of selfishness" in which adults choose to opt out of having kids, either biologically or through adoption.br “but they have dogs and cats that br take the place of children.”.br According to Pope Francis, the choice br “takes some of our humanity away.”.br Today… we see a form of selfishness. We see that some people do not want to have br a child, Pope Francis, via 'The Washington Post'.br Take the risk of br welcoming children, Pope Francis, via 'The Washington Post'.br [People who choose not to have children] are lacking something, something fundamental, something important, Pope Francis, via 'The Washington Post'.br The pope has made similar comments in the past, especially in light of declining birth rates in Italy.br It might be better — more comfortable — to have a dog, two cats, and the love goes to the two cats and the dog. Is this true or not? Have you seen it?, Pope Francis, via 'The Washington Post'.br Then, in the end this marriage comes to old age in solitude, with the bitterness of loneliness, Pope Francis, via 'The Washington Post'.br Pope Francis cautioned that global declining birth rates could lead to less stable economies due to dwindling tax revenue. .br His statements elicited criticism from some who are familiar with broken foster care systems.br I can tell you nothing is more 'selfish' than having kids you don’t want just bc the Pope thinks you should. , Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General, br via 'The Washington Post'.