Pope Francis tells couples not to own pets at the expense of raising children as it will lead to 'the bitterness of loneliness' later on.

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:08

Pope was speaking at a special Mass for 15 couples in the Vatican yesterdayHe told them not to put off having children as it is key to Christian marriageCriticised couples who put living a comfortable life ahead of raising a familySaid showering pets with affection was not a replacement for loving a childBy John Hall

Published: 23:34 EST, 2 June 2014 | Updated: 04:51 EST, 3 June 2014

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Pope Francis has warned couples not to substitute cats and dogs for children, saying it will only lead to solitude and the 'bitterness of loneliness' in old age.

Celebrating daily Mass in the Vatican yesterday, the Pope said owning pets may be 'more comfortable' than raising children, but did not offer the same opportunities for love and godliness.

He made his comments during a special service with 15 couples - all of whom have been married between 25 and 60 years - in the chapel at his Santa Marta residence.

Words of warning: The Pope said owning pets may be 'more comfortable' than raising children, but did not offer the same opportunities for love and godliness. He also criticised couples who decide not to have children

The Pope criticised couples who decide not to have children during the service, saying they had been seduced by the myth that a life of material comfort is better than raising a family.

'You can go explore the world, go on holiday, you can have a villa in the countryside, you can be carefree,' he said.

'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?', the Pope added.

'Then, in the end this marriage comes to old age in solitude, with the bitterness of loneliness,' he went on to say.

The remarks came over the Pope told those gathered that the three most important aspects of a Christian marriage are fidelity, perseverance and 'fruitfulness', according to Vatican Radio.

On Sunday the Pope appeared at the Stadio Olimpico football stadium in Rome to tell a rally of 50,000 members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement that Satan is trying to destroy the domestic family

The pope's remarks come just a week after Italy announced a record low birthrate for 2013, dropping 64,000 over the past five years.

With the birth of only 515,000 babies last year, the fall marks a worrying trend as the country's population ages.

On Sunday the Pope appeared at the Stadio Olimpico football stadium in Rome to tell a rally of 50,000 members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement that Satan is trying to destroy the domestic family.

During the event the Pope heard testimony from a number of local people - including a family of five.

After listening to them speak, the Pope said families face attacks from the devil 'because Jesus grows in parents' love and children's lives.'

He then asked God to bless families and to give them strength to withstand the devil's attacks.