You lost me... The Pope has, in a practical sense, given the green light to extremists who would punish blasphemers. Yes, blasphemy must be protected. Hard speech is the only speech that requires protection. No protection is needed anywhere in the world for freely expressing your affection for kittens. It is only ever needed when it offends. The fact that this Pope cannot comprehend this basis idea should terrify all Catholics.
Not all speech is protected. Libel and slander, defamation are not protected. Otherwise, I agree with what you’re saying. You might get punched for insulting someone, but it’s against the law to punch anyone. Even so, mass murder is way off the charts for a reaction to an insult. That’s Islam.