Sir, – Having pets over children is a form of selfishness, says Pope Francis. This comment by the pontiff worries me. I enjoy being a practising Catholic and belong to Mount Merrion parish in Dublin. I am retired, a mother of four children, a grandmother of 10 grandchildren and have cared for several dogs over the years! My philosophy in life is not to judge – and I would have thought that this tolerance might have come to the Holy Father at his advanced age. In order to be able to do his job, he signed up not to have children! – Yours, etc,
PERDITA QUINLAN,
Dublin 14.