-Pope Francis today released new guidelines on cohabitation and divorcees

-It will go a long way to defining his legacy as a conservative or progressive

-He declared his desire to maintain the Church's opposition to gay marriage

-But he did encourage 'erotic' sex and the 'pursuit of pleasure' in marriage

-Francis emphasized Jesus' message of mercy for priests applying doctrine

-It must consider individuals' problems within their circumstances, he says

Pope Francis has encouraged married couples to enjoy 'erotic' sex and claimed sexual desire is essential to developing 'self-mastery' of one's own body.

Excerpts from his 260-age 'Joy of Love' text reveal Francis' belief that the pursuit of sexual pleasures helps life become 'good and happy' and should be considered a 'gift from god'.

But despite shedding many of the stuffy euphemisms common among his predecessors, he would not budge on the Church's longstanding refusal to endorse gay marriage.

As was expected, he did relax guidance regarding how the Church should deal with cohabitation and divorcees who remarry.