Pope Francis has intensified his efforts to address Italy’s declining birth rate, emphasizing the need for long-term policies to support families and combat the country’s demographic crisis. Speaking at an annual gathering of pro-family groups, Francis underscored the significance of birth rates as a key indicator of societal hope, cautioning that without children and young people, a nation risks losing its aspirations for the future.
This latest appeal from Francis reflects his ongoing campaign to confront what he has termed the “demographic winter” affecting not only Italy but also other industrialized nations across Europe. Italy’s birth rate, already among the lowest globally, has been steadily declining for approximately 15 years, reaching a record low last year with only 379,000 babies born.
In response to this alarming trend, the Vatican has thrown its support behind the efforts of Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government, which aims to boost annual births to at least 500,000 by 2033. Demographers have stressed the necessity of this target to prevent Italy’s economy from collapsing under the strain of an increasingly aging population.
Francis has called for comprehensive political strategies and policies to incentivize couples to have children, advocating for an end to precarious work arrangements, barriers to home ownership, and the provision of viable alternatives for women to balance motherhood with their careers.
Highlighting broader societal issues, Francis emphasized that the root problem lies not in the birth of children but rather in societal selfishness, consumerism, and individualism, which contribute to feelings of discontent and isolation. He urged a shift towards a more community-oriented mindset to address these underlying challenges.
Looking ahead, Francis is expected to continue championing his demographic agenda during the upcoming 2025 Holy Year, centered around the theme of hope. In an official decree issued on Thursday, known as a papal bull, Francis called for a renewed social covenant among Christians to promote a culture that encourages couples to embrace parenthood.
