POPE FRANCIS: FREE EXPRESSION DOESN'T MEAN RIGHT TO INSULT OTHERS' FAITH

Pope Francis: Free expression doesn't mean right to insult others' faith

By Greg Botelho and Sunshine Lichauco de Leon, CNN

Updated 0741 GMT (1541 HKT) January 16, 2015

Pope Francis
Story highlights

   Francis: It's wrong to make fun of others' faith; decries violence done in God's name
   He makes remarks en route to Manila for a five-day visit -- his first tour of Asia

Manila, Philippines (CNN)Weighing in on last week's terror in France and the debate over freedom of expression it stirred, Pope Francis said en route to the Philippines that killing "in the name of God" is wrong, but it is also wrong to "provoke" people by belittling their religion.

The Pope stressed that there was no justification for the killing of 17 people in three separate incidents, including a massacre in and around the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The assailants were reportedly Islamist extremists, some of whom called out "Allahu akbar," which is Arabic for "God is great," as they singled out the magazine, French authorities and Jewish people.

"One cannot make war (or) kill in the name of one's own religion," Francis said on his way to the Philippines. "... To kill in the name of God is an aberration."

Still, even as he decried the violence and generally spoke in support of freedom of expression, the pontiff said that such freedom must have its limits.
Pope Francis bids goodbye as he leaves Villamor Airbase for Rome on January 19 in Manila. Pope Francis has ended his five- day visit to the Philippines. The visit attracted millions as Filipino Catholics flocked to catch a glimpse of the leader of the Catholic Church. It was the first visit by a pope to the country since 1995.
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He didn't mention Charlie Hebdo specifically, or its cartoon depictions of Mohammed, something that many Muslims find offensive. A previous cartoon was one reason the Paris magazine was targeted, and it didn't back down afterward, with its post-attack cover showing Mohammed again, this time crying and holding a sign with the rallying cry "Je suis Charlie," French for "I am Charlie."

Still, even without talking about the magazine by name, the Pope prefaced his remarks by saying, "let's go to Paris, let's speak clearly." He then referred to recent violence there, as well as the debate about freedom of expression.

Francis said on his flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Manila that everyone had not only the liberty, but also the obligation, "to say what he thinks to help the common good."

But he added that this should be done without giving offense, because human dignity should be respected.

If a friend "says a swear word against my mother, then a punch awaits him," Francis said. Vatican Radio reported that he then "gestured with a pretend punch" directed at the friend, Alberto Gasbarri -- an action that many journalists interpreted as a joke. Vatican spokesman Thomas Rosica later told CNN the remark was "spoken colloquially," adding the Pope wasn't advocating violence or in any way justifying the terror attacks.

Right after the punch gesture, Francis said, "It's normal, it's normal.

"One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people's faith, one cannot make fun of faith."