While reiterating the Catholic Church's position on artificial birth control, Pope Francis did what he has so often done in his relatively short time as Pontiff, he used language that tickled the fancy of the world's media.

The BBC reports on Francis' remarks that were made while speaking to journalists on the back of his plane heading back to Rome from his historic visit to The Philippines:

Speaking to journalists while heading back to Rome from the Philippines on Monday, Pope Francis was asked what he would say to families who had more children than they could afford because the Church forbids artificial contraception.

He replied with an unexpected turn of phrase: "Some people think that - excuse my expression here - that in order to be good Catholics we have to be like rabbits."

"No. Parenthood is about being responsible. This is clear."

The Pope said he knew many ways allowed by the Catholic Church that could ensure families only had as many children as they wished.

He cited the case of one woman he had met who had had seven children by Caesarean section and was expecting her eighth - a pregnancy he said was irresponsible.

"She said, 'I trust in God.' But God gave us the means to be responsible," the Pope said.

As is usually the case with this Pope, the fundamental message delivered is in no way a departure from the Church's teachings on faith and morals with relation to responsible reproduction (he Church's instructions on natural family planning have been in place for decades) but the words Francis uses to deliver the message continues to be colorful and entertaining for a media not used to plain-speaking popes.