The Pope: «In the houses there are dogs and cats, but there are no children. But without children Italy loses its future"

"There is no shortage of dogs and cats in homes, but there is a shortage of children." Pope Francis said this, speaking at the States General of Birth, held in Rome.

The decline in the birth rate - said the Holy Father - must be addressed with "foresight" and "at an institutional level, effective policies, courageous, concrete and long-term choices are urgently needed".

"There is a need - added Francis - for a greater commitment on the part of all governments, so that the young generations are put in a position to be able to realize their legitimate dreams".

For this reason we must «put a mother in the position of not having to choose between work and caring for her children; or free many young couples from the burden of job insecurity and the inability to buy a house."

«The number of births is the first indicator of a people's hope. Without children and young people, a country loses its desire for the future", underlined the pontiff. Adding: «In Italy, for example, the average age is currently forty-seven, and new negative records continue to be set».

«Unfortunately – underlined Francis – if we were to base ourselves on this data, we would be forced to say that Italy is progressively losing its hope for the future , like the rest of Europe: the Old Continent is increasingly transforming into an old continent, tired and resigned, so busy exorcising loneliness and anxieties that he is no longer able to enjoy, in the civilization of the gift, the true beauty of life".

(Unioneonline/lf)