10 January 2011 Last updated at 13:56 ET

Pope urges Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law

Salman Taseer's daughter Sara: "This is a message to every liberal to shut up or be shot"

Pope Benedict XVI has called on Pakistan to repeal its blasphemy laws, which can carry a death sentence for insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

He said the laws served as a pretext for acts of injustice and violence against religious minorities.

The Pope referred to Pakistani governor Salman Taseer, whose assassination last week was blamed on his support for changes to the blasphemy laws.

A bodyguard of Mr Taseer has confessed in court to his killing.

Malik Mumtaz Hussein Qadri told the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi that he had acted alone in the attack.

Pope Benedict made his remarks in a traditional address to ambassadors at the Vatican

The Pope made his remarks in a new year address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican.

"I once more encourage the leaders of that country [Pakistan] to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law," he said.

"The tragic murder of the governor of Punjab shows the urgent need to make progress in this direction," he added.

The Pope also condemned anti-Christian attacks in Egypt and Iraq, saying they showed "the urgent need for governments of the region to adopt... effective measures for the protection of religious minorities".

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says it was one of the Pope's most robust defences yet of religious freedom.

Pakistan's blasphemy law returned to the spotlight in November when Christian woman Asia Bibi was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad. She denies the charge.

Malik Mumtaz Hussein Qadri has been hailed as a hero by many in Pakistan

Mr Taseer angered hardline clerics by visiting her in jail and by supporting proposed reforms to the legislation.

After last Tuesday's assassination in Islamabad, Qadri said he had been angered by Mr Taseer's stance over the blasphemy laws.

On Monday, Qadri's brother told the BBC that his family had nothing to do with the murder.

"He never told us what he planned to do," Dilpazeer Awan said.

"It was his personal act, so I cannot comment on whether he did right or wrong."

Qadri was whisked into court on Monday morning - a day earlier than scheduled - to prevent his supporters showing up, correspondents say.

He said in a written statement that he had acted alone.

At his first court appearance in Islamabad last week, Qadri was showered with rose petals by sympathisers, including a number of lawyers.