Although Pope Francis has been heralded as the liberal reformer that the Church so badly needed, it seems there may be a return to normal service programming when it comes to contraception.

The Pope has defended the church's position in regards to artificial contraception but has also commented that this does not necessarily mean Catholics should have large families.

“God gives you methods to be responsible,” he said. "Some think, excuse me if I use the word, that in order to be good Catholics, we have to be like rabbits — but no".

"I believe that openness to life conditions the sacrament of matrimony. A man cannot give the sacrament to the woman, and the woman give it to him, if they are not in agreement on this point to be open to life," Pope Francis said.

According to Time, he also criticized the Philippines’ recent legislation to make contraceptives more easily accessible to the population.

However, he did cite an example of a woman who had seven children and described it as "irresponsibility".

Ivan Yates had a few things to say about that this morning, declaring: "Well have you ever heard such poppycock in all your life."