• World

Pope Francis Opposes Contraceptives During Address of Millions in Philippines

2 minute read
Pope Francis waves from the popemobile after leading a Mass at Rizal Park in Manila
Pope Francis waves from the popemobile after leading a Mass at Rizal Park in Manila on Jan. 18, 2015.Erik De Castro—Reuters
By Jack Linshi

Pope Francis discussed population control and childcare Sunday before a crowd of millions in the Philippines capital of Manila, his final stop on a weeklong tour of Asia.

In longstanding tradition with the Catholic church, Pope Francis continued to urge families to oppose artificial contraception, the Wall Street Journal reported. The topic is particularly controversial in the Philippines, which is home to 80 million Catholics and recently expanded access to contraceptives in order to combat its high birthrate.

“The family all too often needs to be protected against insidious attacks and programs contrary to all that we hold true and sacred,” Pope Francis told the crowd. “We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished and protected.”

Pope Francis Holds Giant Mass in the Philippines

Pope Francis waves from the popemobile after leading a Mass at Rizal Park in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.
Pope Francis waves from the popemobile after leading a Mass at Rizal Park in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015. Ezra Acayan—Reuters
Pilgrims wait for Pope Francis conducts mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.
Pilgrims wait for Pope Francis conducts mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.Lam Yik Fei—Getty Images
Members of the Philippine National Police prevent well-wishers from moving forward as Pope Francis' motorcade passes by in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.
Members of the Philippine National Police prevent well-wishers from moving forward as Pope Francis' motorcade passes by in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015. Ezra Acayan—Reuters
Pope Francis aboard his popemobile kisses a Filipino baby prior to his mass in Quirino grandstand, Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.
Pope Francis aboard his popemobile kisses a Filipino baby prior to his mass in Quirino grandstand, Manila, Jan. 18, 2015. Zalrian Z. Sayat—EPA
Pilgrims pray as Pope Francis conducts mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.
Pilgrims pray as Pope Francis conducts mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.Lam Yik Fei—Getty Images
Pope Francis conducts a mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.
Pope Francis conducts a mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.Lam Yik Fei—Getty Images
Pope Francis prays during a Mass at Rizal Park in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.
Pope Francis prays during a Mass at Rizal Park in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015. Alessandra Tarantino—AP
Millions of the faithful are seen in the Rizal Park area where Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.
Millions of the faithful are seen in the Rizal Park area where Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015. Wally Santana—AP
A Filipino nun prays during a downpour prior to Pope Francis mass in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.
A Filipino nun prays during a downpour prior to Pope Francis mass in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015. Dennis M. Sabangan—EPA

City officials estimated about six million people attended the event, which would be a record-setting crowd, BBC reported. About five million people welcomed Pope John Paul II to Manila in 1995.

Earlier Sunday, Pope Francis had attended a meeting at Manila’s University of Santo Tomas, Asia’s only pontifical university, to hear testimonials from country’s thousands of impoverished young people.

“Many terrible things happened to (street children) like drugs and prostitution,” said a former street child named Jun Chura. “Why is God allowing such things to happen? And why are there only very few people helping us?”

In response, the Pope departed from his prepared remarks and spoke in his native Spanish for 40 minutes, asking, “Why do children suffer so much?”

[WSJ]

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com