Pope Leo warns of ‘shrinking’ freedom of expression in Western countries

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo warned on Friday that ​freedom of expression is “rapidly shrinking” in Western countries, and urged the right to conscientious objection for people who ‌refuse military ‌service ‌or ⁠for ​doctors who ‌refuse to perform abortions or euthanasia.

“It is painful to see how, especially in the West, ⁠the space for genuine ‌freedom of expression ‍is ‍rapidly shrinking,” the pope ‍said in an address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican.

“A ​new Orwellian-style language is developing which, ⁠in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive, ends up excluding those who do not conform to the ideologies that are fueling it,” said Leo, the first ‌US pope.