Pope Francis has said that sexual pleasure is “a gift from God” that should be “disciplined with patience.”
He also warned against pornography, which he said brought “satisfaction without relationship” and could lead to addiction.
His Vatican address was part of a series of sermons on vices and virtues, focused on what the Pope called “the demon of lust”.
It followed criticism by conservative Catholics of his new head of doctrine.
Müller said that a priest blessing a homosexual union would be committing a “sacrilegious and blasphemous act”.
“According to the criterion of this type of blessings, one could even bless an abortion clinic or a mafia group,” Cardinal Müller said.
Prelates around the world also released statements condemning the decision, including American conservatives, who have long been vocal in opposing the Pope’s plans for reforming the Catholic Church.
Tensions reached a nadir when the Pope evicted outspoken critic US Cardinal Raymond Burke from his Vatican apartment and revoked his salary.
