I support LGBT rights and women's rights in the Church but seriously. The Pope was joking. People hang way too much weight on every single statement the man says. Maybe people should realize that sometimes when he says things it isn't some calculated ideological plan. He's just being himself, speaking in normal conversation.  So that point in the article I really don't buy and just seems like a petty reason to critique the Pope over nothing. Criticism of the Papal document he just signed could have come without that unnecessary bit. 

Also....why are people surprised about Pope Francis's stances on these issues? He's made clear that he is a "son of the Church" and adhers to all of it's teachings. So he adheres steadfastly to the Catholic Church's teachings on the Preferential Option for the poor(earning him praise from liberals). He also holds steadfastly to the Catholic Church's views on Gender and Sexuality(earning him criticism from liberals). One thing you can says he is consistent