New research finds ‘John Paul II effect’ on boosting fertility in Latin America

ROME – A new study claims that by stressing themes of marriage and family during 13 visits to the region between 1979 and 1996, St. John Paul II was responsible for boosting fertility rates across Latin America, resulting in a quarter-million extra births.

The research team at the University of Notre Dame found that although increased fertility was not the direct object of the late pope’s travels, his messaging nevertheless reinforced existing cultural norms in Latin America, causing a...