Krakow Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski said on Sunday he heard about the comments with "great pain and regret" and has discussed them face-to-face with Monsignor Edward Staniek, who made them last month at a church speech in Krakow.

Krakow was the seat of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the late Pope St John Paul II Poland's church remains attached to John Paul's conservative stance, which largely differs from Francis' inclusive message. A majority of Poland's bishops see their mission as preserving the traditional Catholic values from the pressure of secularisation.

In his speech, Staniek, who is a prominent theologian, said he was praying for wisdom for Francis and a "heart open to the Holy Spirit, and if he does not do that, for a quick passage to the House of the Father", meaning death.

He said that Francis has departed from the teaching of Jesus and was wrongly interpreting mercy as opening up to Muslims and allowing communion for divorced Catholics, who, according to the church, live in mortal sin and are not allowed communion.

Australian Associated Press