"Human rights must be respected as an expression of justice, and not simply because people can be made to respect them through the will of the legislators", highlighted the Pope. "When they are simply presented in terms of lawfulness he explained , "rights risk becoming weak propositions detached from the ethical and rational dimension". When faced with a new situation, one needs therefore "wisdom", which "shows how exclusively entrusting the States, with their laws and institutions, with the ultimate responsibility for trying to fulfil the aspirations of the people, communities or whole populations, can sometimes have consequences which rule out the possibility of a social order that respects human dignity and human rights". On the other hand, he highlighted, "a view of life that is firmly rooted in the religious dimension can help achieve such purposes". Hence his invitation to the United Nations to promote and support inter-religious dialogue, as a "means by which the different components of society can express their point of view". Of all human rights, the Pope insisted on the right to religious freedom: "It is therefore unconceivable that some believers should suppress a part of themselves their faith to be proactive citizens; one should never be forced to disown God to be able to enjoy one’s rights".
