Conservative backlash:

The Pope is facing a brewing rebellion from conservatives within the Roman Catholic Church, who fear his emphasis on showing mercy towards sinners risks an unacceptable dilution of traditional Church teaching. In February, anonymous posters were put up around Rome attacking Pope Francis for his liberal attitudes. Now a group of Catholic intellectuals is demanding that he clarify his position on fundamental Catholic doctrine regarding divorce. They are especially concerned about a papal document issued last year, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), in which Francis implies that the Church’s ban on remarried divorcees receiving Communion is wrong and needs reform. Francis’s critics accuse him of seeking to overturn 2,000 years of unbroken teaching. Four cardinals have also asked the Pope for clarification on the issue, but have yet to receive a reply.