A new book, The Enemies of Francis, has claimed a number of high-profile figures, such as former US Vice President Dick Cheney, have joined together to oppose what they see as the Pope's liberal stance on issues from the environment to gay marriage.
The author, Nello Scavo, says that a range of powerful forces see the Pope as a threat due to his out spoken stance on everything from the arms trade to his role in the thawing of relations between the USA and Cuba.
He said: "This was one of the key breaking points. Both the political right and conservative Catholics were angered by it."
It goes onto detail how some political interests have been actively plotting to undermine the Pope and says that "poised bait" has been set out for the Holy Father.
Those listed as against Francis include the Catholic lobbying group The Knights of Columbus.
Additionally Cardinal Timothy Dolan, The Archbishop of New York, is thought to be one of 13 Cardinals who has signed a letter claiming the current Synod on the family has been hijacked by liberal groups.
Mr Scavo told La Republica newspaper that there is a movement to "weaken the character and the strength of Pope Francis."
He references the example of a Polish senior Vatican official coming out as gay on the eve of the Synod on the family.
Speaking to Oggi magazine, Leonardo Boff, a theologian with close ties to Francis, said that this was "a trap set by those on the Right of the Church who oppose the Pope.
He added: "Because he [the gay priest] didn't do it in a simple way.
"But in a provocative way in order to create problems for the Synod and for Francis."
On Wednesday Pope Francis issued a public apology about the recent scandals that have hit the Vatican.
He said: "I want, in the name of the Church, to ask forgiveness for the scandals that have recently hit Rome and the Vatican.
"I ask you for forgiveness," he said at his weekly general audience.
The Synod on the family is seen as an ideological battle between the right wing and more liberal schools of thought.
