Migration Helps Offset Serious Problem of Low Birth Rate in Rich Countries, Pope Francis Says

Pope Francis called low birth rates “a very serious problem” and lamented, as he has on previous occasions, that despite the low birth rate “rich countries aren’t having children.”

Pope Francis meets with participants of the “Care Is Work, Work Is Care” event sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on May 8, 2024, at the Vatican.
Pope Francis meets with participants of the “Care Is Work, Work Is Care” event sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on May 8, 2024, at the Vatican. (photo: Credit: Vatican Media / Vatican Media)

During a May 8 audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that migration helps fight the crisis caused by low birth rates, especially in “rich countries.”

Addressing participants at an event titled “Care Is Work, Work Is Care,” promoted by the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, the Holy Father reflected on decent work and social justice.

Pope Francis called low birth rates “a very serious problem” and lamented, as he has on previous occasions, that despite the low birth rate “rich countries aren’t having children.”

“Everyone has a dog, a cat, everyone, but they don’t have children,” he lamented, noting that “the migration comes to help the crisis caused by low birth rates.”

The Pontiff said that “many people emigrate in search of work, while others are forced to do so to flee their countries of origin, often torn by violence and poverty.”

According to Pope Francis, “these people, also due to prejudices and inaccurate or ideological information, are often seen as a problem and a financial burden on a nation, when in reality, by working, they contribute to the economic and social development of the host country and the country from which they come.”

Pope Francis stressed the need to offer decent work and food security while highlighting the crises suffered by war-torn countries, such as Gaza and Sudan, which have “the largest number of people facing famine.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Clergy, religious, and lay faithful gather in St. Peter’s Square for the nightly rosary vigil, holding candles and rosaries as they pray for Pope Francis’ recovery, Feb. 28, 2025.

Pope Francis Continues to Recover

Pope Francis has been undergoing care and battling pneumonia now for some two weeks, even as Catholics and non—Catholics alike pray for his recovery. This week on Register Radio we are joined by EWTN Senior Vatican Analyst, Frank Rocca with the latest from Rome. And then, we are only days away from Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. We hear from Register contributors Katie Warner and Debbie Cowden how to get the most out of Lent.

Pope Francis holds a gift on the papal plane coming back from Corsica on Dec. 15, 2024. He celebrates his 88th birthday today.

Christmas Message/Pope and Popular Piety

In the week before Christmas, Pope Francis made a visit to Corsica to talk about traditional popular piety. It’s a fitting theme as Christians everywhere prepare to contemplate the Nativity of Jesus. Catholic News Agency’s Hannah Brockhaus traveled with the pope and brings us a report. We also get a glimpse of Christmas preparations from a Catholic pastor and preview of Christmas homilies. We talk to Register contributor Father Dwight Longenecker.