Pope Francis has warned that starting a family in Italy is becoming a "titanic effort" that only the wealthy can afford.

At a conference on Italy's demographic crisis, Pope Francis stated that pets had replaced children in many households. Also on stage were scores of young people donning "we can do this" T-shirts, alluding to their mission to convince people to have more children.

Pope Francis Encourages Italians to Increase Their Family Size

Italy has one of the lowest fertility rates in the European Union, and births fell below 400,000 for the first time last year. In his Rome address, Pope Francis stated that the declining fertility rate indicated a lack of optimism for the future, with younger generations burdened by insecurity, fragility, and precariousness.

Warning that pets were replacing children in some households, the Pope recalled a woman who asked him to "bless her infant" before opening her purse. Except it was a small dog, not an infant.

"I lost my temper and scolded her: there are so many famished children, and you bring me a dog?" he added, eliciting applause from the audience, as per BBC News.

Birth rates are declining in many countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Puerto Rico, and Portugal. Italy is the third-largest country in the eurozone, but a declining population is a significant concern. By 2050, the country could lose nearly one-fifth of its population. Simultaneously, the population is rapidly aging; the number of centenarians in Italy has quadrupled in the past two decades.

Speaking alongside Italy's right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at an annual conference on birth rates, Pope Francis urged politicians to find solutions to social and economic issues preventing young couples from having children.

Read Also: Australia Trade Minister Visits China, Urges To Repair Ties 

Italy's Population Plummets

The government of Meloni has proposed measures to encourage families to have more children, such as lowering taxes for families with children, assisting young couples in purchasing their first property, and urging communities to provide free preschool so that parents can return to work.

Pope Francis stated that young women compelled to choose between their professions and motherhood face "almost insurmountable constraints" due to the current economic climate. According to CBS News, the Pope said many women are "crushed by the burden of providing for their families."

By 2033, the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni aims to encourage at least 500,000 births annually. If the objective is not met, the economy could collapse in the future as retirees draw on their pensions. Per The Sun, Italy's population increased until 2014, when an aging population caused the trend to reverse. If Italy's fertility rate continues to fall alarmingly, the country's gross domestic product could decline by 18%.

Related Article: Pope Francis Slams 'Baseless' John Paul II Insinuations in 'Vatican Girl' Case