Pope Francis waited until his historic U.S. visit was over to make his most direct comments on the nation's debate over gay marriage, saying government officials should have the right to refrain from actions that violate their religious beliefs.

That statement came in response to a reporter's question on the papal plane about Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who was jailed earlier this month for refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage in all 50 states.

"Conscientious objection must enter into every juridical structure because it is a right," Francis told reporters, speaking in Italian. "If someone does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right."