Pope Francis' Battle With Conservatives Heats Up

Pope Francis is inching closer toward blessing same-sex unions, presenting a major shift in the Catholic Church's ideology.

The views of Pope Francis, who began his papacy in March 2013 after succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, have been more progressive than his predecessors, drawing critiques from American Catholics who have openly questioned whether he is a positive conduit for the church's messaging and if he understands the American faith.

The pope has remained steadfast in his convictions, however, challenging ardent and potentially antiquated views regarding same-sex marriage and other issues like...