Advertisement

How Pope Francis offended German rabbit breeders

The Pope’s comment that Catholics don’t have to breed “like rabbits” has caused offence – among Germany’s rabbit breeders.

Pope Francis said on Monday that Catholics should instead practice “responsible parenting” and use Church-approved forms of birth control.

But Erwin Leowsky, president of the central council of German rabbit breeders, told news agency DPA on Tuesday that only rabbits which live in the wild are sexually overactive.

Pope celebrates mass in Philippines
Public breastfeeding received Papal approval

He said those in captivity have tamer reproductive habits.

Leowsky says he feels the Pope should allow Catholics to use contraception rather than resorting to misleading cliches about rabbits.

Want to see more stories from The New Daily in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set The New Daily as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "The New Daily". That's it.
Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2026 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.