Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, who was appointed last July, came under fire for a book he wrote and published in the late 1990s entitled Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality.

The Pope had already tackled the vice of gluttony last week and there was no suggestion that his sermon on lust during Wednesday's general audience was related to criticism of the cardinal.

In December, Cardinal Fernández introduced a text, later approved by Pope Francis, detailing guidelines allowing priests to bless same-sex couples relationships that were still considered sinful.

In a lengthy response posted online, Cardinal Müller said that a priest blessing a homosexual union would be committing a "sacrilegious and blasphemous act".

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.

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