The National Catholic Register's Edward Pentin told EWTN's The World Over Live that "sources within Santa Marta" say "that the Pope is not happy at all" and is "boiling with rage."
"I do understand from sources within Santa Marta that the pope is not happy at all," said Pentin. "In fact, he's...boiling with rage. He's really not happy at all with this."
The pope's rage is reportedly over a dubia, or formal request, from four cardinals that he clarify whether his controversial exhortation is at odds with Catholic moral teaching. Pope Francis didn't respond for two months, so the cardinals went public with their concern.
Now, in a new interview with Avvenire, Pope Francis is rebuking the "legalism" of Amoris Laetitia critics.
“Some, as with certain responses to Amoris Laetitia, persist in seeing only white or black, when rather one ought to discern in the flow of life," the pontiff said.
However, he denied being bothered by this.
The criticism is "not making me lose any sleep" he told Avvenire. "Sometimes criticisms...are not honest, they are driven by a mean spirit to incite divisions."