People in Indonesia make 4-5 kids, some are happy with dogs, cats: Pope Francis

Pope Francis has reignited a contentious discussion on parenthood, praising Indonesia’s high birthrate while drawing a stark contrast with countries where people opt for pets instead of children. Speaking at the presidential palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, the Pope lauded the Southeast Asian nation’s approach to family life, humorously pointing out that some people in other nations prefer to raise cats or dogs rather than children.

"In your country, people have three, four, or five children—that’s an example for every country, while some prefer only a cat or a little dog," the Pope said during his address. The remarks, though lighthearted, carried a serious undertone as he added, "This can’t go well."

Indonesian President Joko Widodo burst into laughter at the Pope’s comments, with Francis turning to him and quipping, "It’s true, isn’t it?"

The Pope's comments echoed sentiments he previously expressed in 2022, where he faced backlash for suggesting that couples who prioritize pets over children are selfish and contribute to societal decline. Francis, known for his progressive views within the Catholic Church, has continued to advocate for traditional family structures, despite modern societal shifts.

The debate quickly spilled onto social media in Indonesia, where users responded with humor and commentary. One user on X (formerly Twitter) joked, "Because you don’t need to pay for dogs’ tuition until they’re in their 20s." Others pointed out that Indonesia, despite its current population of around 280 million, is already experiencing declining birthrates.

"The Pope doesn’t know that many people in Indonesia already practice being childfree," another user noted, comparing the country’s demographic future to that of Japan, which saw a record-low birthrate last year.
According to the World Bank, Indonesia's birthrate has more than halved since the 1960s, reflecting global trends in declining fertility rates.

Notably, Pope Francis landed in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, marking the first stop of his tour across four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania. This trip is anticipated to be the longest and most demanding international journey of his pontificate so far.