I have to say that I cringed when I read what Francis said.  I think his words denote a rather simplistic view of marriage.   The simple truth is that the church has squandered much of its moral voice when it comes to marriage.  And for all of his talk suggesting the church "walk with" people, implying you take them where they are and go from there, the local ACTIONS of the church paint a VERY different picture.  There's a reason so many young couples walk away from church weddings (and the church) today.  They are asked to jump through hoops, and make affirmations they just don't believe.  So they're all too often, shown the door.

It may be time for the church to rethink marriage, and to focus on love first and foremost, and then perhaps break today's single sacrament into several "stages" if you will.  Why not offer grace and encouragement for those who live together, encouraging them to take that next step, as but one example?