Pope Benedict has called for the release of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan last week. The Pontiff, speaking today in his weekly address in St. Peter’s Square, said Asia Bibi should be given back her freedom. The pope said Christians in Pakistan are often victims of violence and discrimination. Bibi, a 45-year-old mother of five, was sentenced to death last week by a court in the central Pakistani province of Punjab. During her trial, she told the court she was being persecuted because of her religion.