"But by repeating a joke that mocks the man’s sexuality and belittles the struggle for women’s equality in the church..."  May I gently suggest this should read "perceived sexuality"?  So in addition to recognizing the comments as homophobic and misogynistic, we may add stereotypical, which also fosters exclusion.  Sadly, while the Church elevates the heterosexual family unit it relegates single congregants to a level of unimportance. My personal experience with a pastor who regularly evidenced no interest in making any quick, cheerful small talk with me on the way out of Mass as he overtly welcomed chit chat with married couples and families quite clearly reinforced my opinion that the Church merely gives lip service to the "single vocation".  

As the article notes, these latest pronouncements by Pope Francis appear out of line with some of his earlier comments, seemingly indicating that the conservative element of the Curia has finally gotten to him.