Following his famous off-the-cuff remarks after the Charlie Hebdo massacre, Pope Francis has taken much criticism for what seemed to be an endorsement of limitations on freedom of expression.
But a closer reading of the most authoritative statements of relevant Catholic doctrine reveals that Francis adhered to the mainstream of Catholic social teaching. In fact, the teaching of the Church offers little direct support for any of the civil liberties -- other than freedom of religion -- and much of the support it provides is contingent and therefore tepid.
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