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Pope Francis, cats and no kids: The Twitterverse responds

(RNS) When Pope Francis warned married couples not to substitute pets and vacation homes for children, was that a slap against childless couples? Some people thought so.
Pope Francis, cats and no kids: The Twitterverse responds
A couple with their cat.
Heather Adams
A couple with their cat.

A couple with their cat.

(RNS) When Pope Francis cautioned people not to substitute pets and vacation homes for children, was he being a cold scold or a wise old man with the experience of years?

Francis celebrated Mass with 15 married couples Monday (June 2), and during the Mass he warned the couples that substituting dogs and cats for children will lead to “bitterness of loneliness” in old age.


“It might be better — more comfortable — to have a dog, two cats, and the love goes to the two cats and the dog. Is this true or not? Have you seen it?

“Then, in the end this marriage comes to old age in solitude, with the bitterness of loneliness,” he said.

Here’s what the Twitterverse had to say about it:

Some people agreed:

https://twitter.com/jrw_4/status/473890068571369472

https://twitter.com/janinabax/status/473844730019594240

https://twitter.com/jelyca618/status/473843682618380288

While some people are angry and disagree with the pope:

https://twitter.com/jeaniebellini/status/473884620727934977

https://twitter.com/AlanRupa/status/473870199348002816

https://twitter.com/TMSowa/status/473861009770172416

https://twitter.com/NorthernMNer/status/473860248873095168

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