Charlie Hebdo: Pope Says Freedom of Speech has Limits

The Primate of Italy and the Ambassador of Christ, Pope Francis criticizes the uncensored publications of Charlie Hebdo saying that freedom of speech has limits.

The Pope has revealed he would PUNCH anybody who insulted his mother as he debated freedom of speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks. 

The doctrine of the Catholic Church holds the church as a mother. The pontiff must have spoken metaphorically.

Pope Francis’ comments came as he flew from Sri Lanka to the Philippines to start the second leg of his Asian tour.

Referring to Alberto Gasparri, who organises papal trips and was standing by his side, the Pontiff said: “It is true that you must not react violently, but although we are good friends if my good friend Dr Gasparri says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch.’

Pope Francis then threw a pretend punch his friend’s way.

He went on: “It’s normal. You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others.” He argued that freedom of speech is a human right as well as freedom of religion.

He said: “I think both freedom of religion and freedom of expression are both fundamental human rights.

“Everyone has not only the freedom and the right but the obligation to say what he thinks for the common good. We have the right to have this freedom openly without offending.”

“These people provoke and then (something can happen). In freedom of expression there are limits.”