Pope Francis has encouraged married couples to be more open to the gift of life.

His words come as Catholics routinely use contraceptive methods to limit their pregnancies and as much of the world faces a looming demographic disaster.

In his Sunday Angelus address, the pope said to spouses, it is “essential to be open to the gift of life, to the gift of children”.

“They are the most beautiful fruit of love, the greatest blessing from God, a source of joy and hope for every home and all of society. Have children!”.

The pope recounted how a member of the Vatican’s Gendarmerie Corps brought his eight children to a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica that the pope presided over on Saturday. Pope Francis described seeing the family as “a great consolation.”

“It was beautiful to see them,” he said. “Please, be open to life, to what God may send you.”