Pope Francis is scheduled to attend the States General of Natality this year as well. This foregoing occasion, which is in its fourth year, is organized by the Forum of Family Associations and its purpose is to educate the public about the issues associated with the declining birth rate and potential remedies. Pope Francis will participate in the event at the Auditorium in Via della Conciliazione on May 10 in the morning, with the theme "To be. More young people mean more future". The inaugural session of the States General of Natality commenced in 2021 under the auspices of the Pope, then-Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi, and Forum President Gigi De Palo. During his address, he made an appeal to the birth rate, stating that "no future exists" without it. He also expressed regret at witnessing women being discouraged from having children at work and being forced to hide their stomachs. In 2022, the Pontiff came for the second edition, and he expressed his sadness to the audience that less and fewer children are being born: "This", Francis emphasized, "means impoverishing the future of all; Italy, Europe, and the West are becoming impoverished of the future". Finally, last year, in 2023, the Pope attended the third session of the States General, alongside Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "The birth of children is the main indicator of the hope of a people", the Pontiff remarked, proposing "far-sighted policies without ideological fences" and emphasizing that "birth rate and acceptance must never be opposed".