After Pope Francis on Thursday said “the great majority” of Catholic marriages are religiously null because people don’t understand the concept of a lifetime commitment, some prominent traditional Catholics lambasted the pontiff as “irresponsible” and that his statement could possibly discourage people from working on their marriage relations.

Francis’ comments, which were reported by the Catholic News Agency, came during the question-and-answer session of a meeting of the Diocese of Rome.

Pope Francis participates in a meeting with Rome's parishes in St. John at the Lateran Basilica on Thursday. He has been criticized for his comments on Catholic marriage. Associated Press/Fabio Frustaci

According to the CNA, a layperson asked about the “crisis of marriage” and how Catholics can help young people overcome their “resistance, delusions and fears” about marriage.

Francis, who in his three-plus years as pope has regularly made news with his off-the-cuff remarks that at times seem to conflict with church doctrine, cited a case in which he’d heard of a young man who wanted to become a priest, but just for 10 years. The culture is too provisional, Francis said.

“It’s provisional, and because of this the great majority of our sacramental marriages are null,” the pope reportedly said. “Because they say ‘yes, for the rest of my life!’ but they don’t know what they are saying. Because they have a different culture. They say it, they have good will, but they don’t know.”

Francis has spoken regularly about the challenge of relationships, and of marriage.

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