Pope Benedict XVI has urged the removal of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, saying that they are used as an excuse for violence against non-Muslims.
The Pope made an impassioned appeal for religious freedom in a speech to ambassadors saying it is a fundamental human right that must be protected in law and in practice.
Benedict challenged Pakistan to reverse the blasphemy laws, which carry a death sentence for insulting Islam, and noted the recent killing of the Punjab governor who opposed them.
It seems that many Pakistanis have stepped out in support of the governor's killer since the assassination a week ago. Crowds have showered him with rose petals and shouted supportive slogans during court appearances.
"I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law, all the more so because it is clear that it serves as a pretext for acts of injustice and violence against religious minorities," the Pope said.
The Pope has often spoke out against the attacks against Christians in the Middle East and took the opportunity to warn again of the threat that religious intolerance poses to world security.
Benedict listed the injustices done to minority faiths in countries from China to Nigeria and called on their governments to take action. The Pope mentioned in particular the recent violent attacks on Christians attending Mass in Egypt and Iraq, and said that Christians are original members of these societies and deserve to live there in security with full civil rights.
"This succession of attacks is yet another sign of the urgent need for the governments of the region to adopt, in spite of difficulties and dangers, effective measures for the protection of religious minorities," he added.