couples warned by Pope Francis not to substitute pets for children... or face 'the bitterness of loneliness' in old age

Pope Francis has warned couples not to substitute cats and dogs for children, saying it will only lead to solitude and the 'bitterness of loneliness' in old age.

Celebrating daily Mass in the Vatican yesterday, the Pope said owning pets may be 'more comfortable' than raising children, but did not offer the same opportunities for love and godliness.

He made his comments during a special service with 15 couples - all of whom have been married between 25 and 60 years - in the chapel at his Santa Marta residence.

The Pope criticised couples who decide not to have children during the service, saying they had been seduced by the myth that a life of material comfort is better than raising a family.

'You can go explore the world, go on holiday, you can have a villa in the countryside, you can be carefree,' he said.

'It might be better - more comfortable - to have a dog, two cats, and the love goes to the two cats and the dog. Is this true or not? Have you seen it?', the Pope added.

'Then, in the end this marriage comes to old age in solitude, with the bitterness of loneliness,' he went on to say.

The remarks came over the Pope told those gathered that the three most important aspects of a Christian marriage are fidelity, perseverance and 'fruitfulness', according to Vatican Radio.

The pope's remarks come just a week after Italy announced a record low birthrate for 2013, dropping 64,000 over the past five years.

With the birth of only 515,000 babies last year, the fall marks a worrying trend as the country's population ages.

On Sunday the Pope appeared at the Stadio Olimpico football stadium in Rome to tell a rally of 50,000 members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement that Satan is trying to destroy the domestic family.

During the event the Pope heard testimony from a number of local people - including a family of five.

After listening to them speak, the Pope said families face attacks from the devil 'because Jesus grows in parents’ love and children’s lives.'

He then asked God to bless families and to give them strength to withstand the devil’s attacks.  

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Kim Kardashian Is Back to L.A. After Honeymoon

Kim Kardashian has returned to the U.S. after she enjoyed honeymoon with her husband Kanye West. The famous pair, who got married on Saturday, May 24 in Italy, jetted to Ireland the next day and were spotted attending West's stylist Renelou Padora's wedding at Ploskovice Castle in Prague four days later.

On Sunday afternoon, the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star was spotted at LAX without her rapper husband. Wearing a cleavage-baring black top, the mother of one completed her looks with a black leather jacket, matching pants and sunglasses. She also carried a hand bag and wore nude-colored shoes as she walked at a terminal.

The next day, Kardashian took to Twitter to tell fans of her honeymoon. "Had the best most relaxing romantic honeymoon in Ireland & Prague! Missed my baby girl so much! Excited to be home to squeeze her so tight!" she gushed.

The reality star also wrote a congratulatory message to Padora and her new husband. "Congrats Renelou & JP!!!!!! Such a beautiful wedding! Wishing you a lifetime of love & hapiness! #BestMemories #MarriedGang," she tweeted.

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Frank Lampard to leave Chelsea

Frank Lampard has announced that he is leaving Chelsea for a new challenge this summer.

The midfielder is the club's all-time top scorer with 211 goals and has played 648 games at Stamford Bridge. However, Lampard's contract runs out this summer and he has decided to continue his future elsewhere -- with New York City FC interested having already snapped up Spain forward David Villa.

Lampard won the Premier League three times, alongside four FA Cups, two League Cups, a Champions League title and one Europa League during his time in South West London.

In a statement, Lampard said: "When I arrived at this fantastic club 13 years ago I would never have believed that I would be fortunate enough to play so many games and enjoy sharing in so much success.

"This club has become part of my life and I have so many people to thank for the opportunity. Firstly, Ken Bates, who put his neck on the line to sign me as a young player and without him I would not have even begun this experience.

"Roman Abramovich, the man who saved our Club and took us all to new levels. His desire to push the Club to the top of the football world has rubbed off on everyone.

"All the managers and coaches who have helped me develop my game during the time I have been here. I have learnt from every one of them.

"All the brilliant team mates who I have been lucky enough to train and play alongside for so long. Not just their football qualities but also the friendships I have gained along the way.

"I'd also like to give a special mention to all the staff and people behind the scenes at the club who do not receive the glory but without them the Club would simply not function.

"The club will move forward, and as a Chelsea man I have no doubt that with the quality of the players that are there, they will continue with the success that we have all enjoyed over the past seasons.

"Finally and most importantly, I would like to thank the Chelsea fans. I believe they are the greatest fans in world football. You have supported me from the moment I arrived. Not only on the pitch, but in difficult moments in my personal life off the pitch. I will never forget.

"I feel honoured to have shared so many special times with you. Bolton, Amsterdam, Munich, the list goes on and on. I, and we as a team, could not have achieved those moments without your support.

"Whatever the next challenge is for me I will always be amongst you and have Chelsea in my home and in my heart. Hopefully I will get to see you all soon to say goodbye properly. In the meantime thank you for the memories and keep making history!"

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Nicki Minaj Joined by Drake, Lil Wayne at Summer Jam

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Nicki Minaj brought out a number of special guests during her set at Hot 97 Summer Jam. Drake and Lil Wayne, her Young Money labelmates, were among those who came out on the stage at the event which took place on Sunday, June 1.
"It's a ni**a in Young Money that I ain't f**kin' with right now... Drake I used to love you, but ni**a I don't f**k with you no more," Minaj told the crowd before the Canadian rapper appeared and gave the live performance of his "Worst Behavior".
After finishing the song, Drizzy invited Wayne to the stage to perform the latter's "Believe Me" from "Tha Carter V" album. "Shout out to the motherf**kin' best rapper alive," Minaj said before Weezy tackled his verses from Chris Brown's "Loyal". Before the trio exited the stage, Drake performed his "Trophy".
In addition to Drake and Wayne, Minaj was joined onstage by Young Thug for "Danny Glover", Lil Herb for "Chi-Raq" and Soulja Boy for "Yasss Bish!!". 

 

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Chris Brown Released From Jail

After nearly four months behind bars, Chris Brown was released from Los Angeles county jail early Monday morning (June 2). According to the Associated Press, Brown was released at 12:01 a.m. after being arrested in mid-March on a probation violation tied to his expulsion from a court-ordered rehab facility.

On May 9, Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin sentenced Brown, 25, to serve another 131 days in jail after the singer admitted to violating his probation by getting into a fight outside a Washington, D.C., hotel last year. Brown served a total of 108 days in jail.

Brown had been sentenced to a year in county jail, but Brandlin gave him credit for nearly eight months, including time spent in rehab and jail, as well as for good behavior.

In his most personal tweet in months, Brown thanked God and expressed his pleasure about going home after his long time in lock-up.

Brown, who has been on probation since his 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna, was charged with misdemeanor assault in the October D.C. incident, in which a man claimed the singer and his bodyguard attacked him. According to the AP, Brown admitted he committed a crime in the alleged assault during the May 9 court appearance and waived his rights to an evidentiary hearing in which prosecutors would have had to prove that he violated his probation.
Brown’s bodyguard, Christopher Hollosy, was convicted of assault in the case in April and is awaiting an appeal. Brown’s trial in the matter has been delayed as a result.
Judge Brandlin also stated in May that he would reinstate Brown’s probation upon his release and that the singer will be required to see a psychiatrist two times a week, complete the rest of his community service and take appropriate medication — not medical marijuana. Brown’s probation will be extended to Jan. 23, 2015.

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