Pope on Manila visit: Poverty not due to large families

MANILA, Philippines — Having returned to Rome from Manila, Pope Francis on Wednesday gave thanks for his pastoral trip to the Philippines, where he believes families consider "every child ... a blessing."

The pontiff defended large families with many children, saying they are not the cause of poverty.

"We can all say that the main cause of poverty is an economic system that, at its center, has replaced man with the god of money," the pope said in a general audience dedicated to a reflection on his recently concluded trips to the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

"That excludes children, the elderly and young people who cannot find word, creates the throwaway culture that we live in today," he added, as quoted in a report by Radio Vaticana.

The Holy Father recalled having met families in Manila, asking them to "cherish and protect the family in its fundamental role in society and in God's plan."

The pope condemned complacency in becoming used to seeing people who have been "discarded."

"This is the main reason for poverty, and not numerous families," Pope Francis said.

The Catholic leader, moreover, said his visit in the Philippines was in solidarity with people affected by "Yolanda" in 2013, using the Philippines' local name for Supertyphoon Haiyan.

"I paid tribute to the faith and to capacity to rebuild of the local population," he said.

He also reiterated his call for Filipinos to persevere in their role to become missionaries of God in the "great continent of Asia."