You are correct, the pavlovian response from most Catholics would be like you indicate. But I think, our pope has a rule: always put charity first. I think that is a good rule in general and it was good that he applied it to the question about the “gay lobby”.
“I think that is a good rule in general”
So, we are to put charity first, even if, say, it was more appropriate to put rebuking sinners first?
“and it was good that he applied it to the question about the “gay lobby”.
I disagree. His failure to specifically note the sinful nature of homosexual conduct has inevitably led to widespread assertions that “the pope says homosexual behavior is not sinful.”
Why open that door?