Pope: Now the most profitable investments are in weapons and contraceptives

The Pope with a child dressed in a "papal robe"

At a conference in Rome discussing declining birth rates, the Pope stated that today the most profitable investments are considered to be weapons and contraceptives—one kills life, the other impedes it.

In his address, the Pontiff urged Italians to have more children. He said, "Now the most profitable investments are in weapons and contraceptives. The first destroys life, the second impedes it. And these are the most profitable investments. What future awaits us? It is ugly."

The Pontiff also asked Italian authorities to strengthen social support for families to prevent population aging.

"Homes are filled with objects, but children are missing from them. They become very sad places. There is no shortage of cats and small dogs, there is a shortage of children," said the Pope.

He noted that "the problem of our world is not in the birth of children, but in selfishness, consumerism, and individualism, which make people jaded, lonely, and unhappy."

"Birth rate is the main indicator of the people's hope. Without children and youth, a country loses its aspiration for the future. In Italy, for example, the average age is 47 years," summarized the Pontiff.

As reported, Pope Francis stated that Pope Benedict backed his defence of the LGBTQ community.

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