Pope Francis chides France for religious ban

Pope Francis has criticized France over its policy banning the Islamic headscarf.

A Muslim woman should be permitted to wear a headscarf to practice her religion in the same way a Christian believer is allowed to put on a crucifix to exercise his belief, the Pope said, speaking to Catholic newspaper La Croix.

“The small criticism I'll be addressing to France in this regard is that France exaggerates secularism. This stems from a way of considering religion as a subculture and not a whole culture," he said. “France should take a step forward on this issue to accept that openness to transcendence is everyone's right."

The Pontiff thinks that a healthy secularism, paired with a strong law that grants above all religious freedom is key to a successful and peaceful state, while states tied to a single religion don't have a future. “Confessional states end badly…I believe that secularism accompanied by a strong law which guarantees religious freedom provides a framework for moving forward," he said, according to Russia Today (RT).

Meanwhile, the spokesman for France's bishops, Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, said that he agree with the Pope's criticism against France's secularist policy. The fear resulting from differences prevents us from living together, he said in his interview with Russia Today.

The French government bars civil servants from displaying their beliefs in the workplace. In 2004, the country banned the wearing of the Muslim headscarf and display of 'religious symbols.' In 2010, the country banned face coverings of all kinds in public spaces except for specified circumstances.