Conscientious objection is a right, pope

(see related story on Bagnasco) (ANSA) - Vatican City, May 17 - Pope Francis said in an interview published in France's La Croix on Tuesday that Catholics should have the right to conscientious objection, as he talked about issues like "euthanasia and marriage between people of the same sex".
    "Once a law has been voted, the State must respect consciences", the pontiff said.
    "In each juridical structure, conscientious objection must be present because it is a human right, also for a government official", noted the pontiff, adding that, "the State must respect criticism".
    "This is true secularism", he concluded.
    The Italian parliament has just approved a law recognising civil unions, including gay ones.
    In the interview, the pontiff also spoke about evangelization, noting that it does not necessarily require priests because "baptism gives the strength to evangelize", citing the "historic example of Korea".
    Korea, he said when asked about the crisis in vocations in France, "was evangelized by missionaries who came from China and then left, then, over two centuries, Korea was evangelized by laymen".
    Talking about Europe, the pontiff also said that "it is necessary to talk about roots using the plural, because it has many", warning against triumphalism or vindictiveness, as occurred with colonialism.
    "Europe certainly has Christian roots and Christianity has the duty to water them, but in a spirit of service, like with the washing of the feet," he said.