Pope condemns death penalty after US execution plans

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 15:48 · Archive

Pope Leo has declared capital punishment 'inadmissible' as the US plans to livestream an execution.

Pope Leo has declared capital punishment 'inadmissible', saying it attacks the inherent dignity of human beings. He made the statement on the World Day Against the Death Penalty, posting on X that 'the death penalty is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person'.

The Pope's intervention follows the US Defence Department's announcement of plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 shooting spree at Fort Hood military base. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope's top deputy, explicitly criticised the planned public execution as 'unacceptable'.

The Pope argued that 'the common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment'. He noted that 'effective systems of detention have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption'. Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the US bishops conference, also expressed 'shock' and 'great sorrow' at the Pentagon's plans.

How it is being reported

• Pope Leo says death penalty is ‘inadmissible’ after Trump approves livestreaming executionPope Leo XIV has declared capital punishment 'inadmissible' following plans for the United States to livestream an execution by firing squad.Metro · 10 Oct, 15:30
• Pope risks reigniting Trump feud and slams death penalty after botched executionPope Leo described the death penalty as 'inadmissible' in a new statement that could reignite his feud with Donald TrumpThe Mirror · 10 Oct, 13:18

In this story: Pope Leo · Nidal Malik Hasan · US Defence Department · Fort Hood · Cardinal Pietro Parolin

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