Pope Francis has described large families as a "gift from God", just days after he said Catholics did not need to "breed like rabbits".
In an apparent backtrack from comments he made on his way back from the Philippines, the Argentinian pontiff on Wednesday argued that an unfair economic system is the primary cause of poverty, rather than overpopulation.
"The meetings with families and young people in Manila were stand-out moments during the visit to the Philippines," Francis told a crowd of around 7000 gathered in St Peter's square for his weekly audience.
"Healthy families are essential to the life of society. It provides us with consolation and hope to see so many large families who welcome children as a gift from God," he said.
"These families know that each child is a blessing."
Francis surprised reporters on the papal plane on Sunday by recounting an anecdote about how he had once asked a mother who had seven children by caesarean section and was pregnant with her eighth if she wanted to "leave behind seven young orphans".
"She said, 'I trust in God'. But God gave us the means to be responsible," Francis said.
"Some think - and excuse the term - that to be good Catholics, they must be like rabbits."
Following the Church's teachings did not mean "Christians should have children one after the other", he added.
Catholic teaching prohibits the use of artificial contraception but allows the use of the so-called rhythm method, where couples plan sex on days when the woman is less likely to conceive.
The Church's opposition to contraception was formalised by former pope Paul VI in 1968, as the birth control pill was beginning to be widely used.
On Sunday, the current pontiff described his predecessor as a "prophet" who had been rightly concerned about ideas advocating restrictions on the poor having children.
At the same time, Francis appeared to approvingly cite population experts who say three children per family is an ideal number.
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