Pope Leo Declares the Death Penalty Inadmissible
Pope Leo XIV stated that he finds the death penalty inadmissible, while the U.S. decision to livestream an execution was met with backlash in the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV declared the death penalty inadmissible in a statement made on World Day Against the Death Penalty. This statement coincided with the U.S. Department of Defense's announcement that it would livestream an execution.
The Pope's Statement
In a post shared via his official social media account, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the death penalty constitutes an assault on human dignity. Referencing the Vatican's updated Catholic teaching, the Pope stated that justice can be achieved without resorting to the death penalty.
U.S. Execution Plan
The United States Department of Defense announced that Nidal Malik Hasan, the perpetrator of the attack carried out at the Fort Hood military base in 2009 that resulted in the deaths of 13 people and the injury of 32 others, will be executed. The announcement stated that this execution, to take place in December, will be broadcast live.
Reaction from the Vatican and the Church
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin described this planned public execution decision as inadmissible and incomprehensible. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops President Archbishop Paul Coakley also stated that the decision promotes a culture of death and expressed shock and sadness.