Pope John Paul II has urged Italians to have more babies to reverse the country's falling birth rate.

In his weekly address in St Peter's Square in the Vatican, the pontiff also called on the state to do its bit by introducing family-friendly policies

"The worrisome demographic drop registered in recent years cannot but be a cause for reflection by Italian society," he said, on the day proclaimed "Life Day" by the Roman Catholic Church in Italy.

"Public institutions have the task of removing the obstacles that hinder families.

Culture of love

"But it is most of all up to married couples to revive the culture of love and life, rediscovering the mission to become parents that they chose in the moment of their marriage."

Italy's population is rapidly shrinking, with more people dying than being born.

According to some projections, the current birth rate would cut the population from the current 57 million to 41million by the year 2050.

A United Nations draft report earlier this year said Italy would have to take in nine-million immigrants over the next 25 years to keep its workforce at a viable level.