Pope in face of demographic winter: without an improved birth rate, Italy has no future

Pope Francis lamented Italy’s drastically declining birth rate at the opening of an initiative by the Forum of Family Associations.

Since the start of Covid pandemic last year, the Pope has avoided public engagements outside the Vatican. But two days after resuming General Audiences “in the presence of the faithful,” the Roman Pontiff made his way up the Via della Conciliazione to take part in the opening of the General States of Birth initiative, aimed addressing Italy’s demographic winter. Among the participants in the meeting, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who along with Forum President Gigi De Palo, both of whom spoke ahead of the Holy Father.