As we hit the halfway(ish) mark of the school holidays, it’s high time for some parenting advice from the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. He says people who choose to have pets rather than children are acting selfishly in a way that threatens to result in a “demographic winter” of ever-declining birth rates. “Il Papa” – or “the Father” as he’s known affectionately, says choosing kavoodles over kids detracts from our humanity as a whole. For those who can’t have kids, Francis thinks they should consider adoption. The bottom line: people should “not be afraid” to embark on parenthood. And it’s not the first time he’s weighed into this thorny debate… In 2014, Francis said he reckoned some people were more inclined to pets because they only required simple emotional connections rather than the complex ones needed with children. While the 85yo has been seen with dogs to children, he’s not thought to have either of his own.