Pope Francis used his return journey from Asia to insist that the Catholic Church’s prohibition on artificial contraception does not necessitate followers bearing an enormous brood of children.
“Some think, excuse me if I use the word, that in order to be good Catholics, we have to be like rabbits — but no,” the 78-year-old Argentine told reporters while flying from the Philippines back to Rome, reports Reuters.
Francis spoke of meeting a Filipina woman who had risked her life to give birth to seven children, and revealed that he scolded her for her “irresponsibility.” He has developed a reputation for using plain, colloquial language to get his points across.
But despite garnering praise as a liberal reformer, Francis continues to condemn artificial birth-control methods, criticizing the Philippines’ recent legislation to make contraceptives more easily available to the public. He called these laws “ideological colonization,” claiming they conflict with traditional family values. (Advocates insist birth control empowers women and guards against sexually transmitted diseases.)
Francis explained that there are church-approved natural contraceptive methods that can prevent Catholics from having too many children. These consist primarily of abstinence while a woman is fertile.
[Reuters]
Pope Francis Holds Giant Mass in the Philippines
![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, Jan. 18, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-8.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Visits Philippines - Day 4 Pilgrims wait for Pope Francis conducts mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-9.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Members of the Philippine National Police prevent well-wishers from moving forward as Pope Francis' motorcade passes by in Manila Members of the Philippine National Police prevent well-wishers from moving forward as Pope Francis' motorcade passes by in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-7.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis visits the Philippines Pope Francis aboard his popemobile kisses a Filipino baby prior to his mass in Quirino grandstand, Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Visits Philippines - Day 4 Pilgrims pray as Pope Francis conducts mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-6.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Visits Philippines - Day 4 Pope Francis conducts a mass at the Rizal Park on Jan. 18, 2015 in Manila.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-1.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Francis Pope Francis prays during a Mass at Rizal Park in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Philippines Pope Asia Millions of the faithful are seen in the Rizal Park area where Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-3.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis visits the Philippines A Filipino nun prays during a downpour prior to Pope Francis mass in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pope-mass-manila-philippines-2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- Ukraine’s Plan to Survive Trump
- The Rise of a New Kind of Parenting Guru
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com