Asked by a French reporter on a flight from Sri Lanka to the Philippines on Jan. 15 to compare freedom of religion and freedom of expression as human rights, Pope Francis condemned violence in the name of God but said freedom of expression should be limited by respect for religion and that mockery of faith can be expected to provoke violence. Pope Francis linked his answer to the attacks Jan. 7 at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, apparently in retaliation for the newspaper’s publication of cartoons mocking Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. “One cannot offend, make war, kill in the name of one’s own religion, that is, in the name of God.” The pope said freedom of expression was a “fundamental human right” like freedom of religion, but one that must be exercised “without giving offense…. One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people’s faith; one cannot make fun of faith.” The pope said those who “make fun or toy with other people’s religions, these people provoke…. There is a limit. Every religion has its dignity.”
Pope Suggests Limits On Free Expression
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
“Hospitals are overwhelmed, and people are sleeping out on the streets, anywhere they can, in fields and playgrounds and religious compounds.”
As we enter into Holy Week, join America Media for a subscriber-only virtual event with James Martin, S.J., and ‘Jesuitical’ hosts Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless.
“Having a sensory room in a place of worship is probably more important than anywhere else because everyone should feel welcome in their faith.”
Sports hasn't always been the most popular topic among America's editors and contributors—unless it was the Grand Old Game, baseball.