Pope Leo declares death penalty ‘inadmissible’ as his native US plans to livestream execution
Pope Leo XIV has declared the death penalty 'inadmissible' in accordance with updated Catholic teachings. This statement follows the U.S. government's announcement that it will livestream an upcoming execution by firing squad.
Why it matters
The declaration highlights a growing ideological conflict between the Vatican's moral stance and U.S. federal judicial practices.
Pope Leo XIV on Saturday declared capital punishment ”inadmissible” as he marked the World Day Against the Death Penalty and his native United States announced plans to livestream an execution by firing squad.
In a post on X, the American pope quoted the revised Catholic teaching on capital punishment ushered in by Pope Francis that the death penalty attacks the inherent dignity of a human being.
“The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment,” read the post under Leo’s official handle, @Pontifex. “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.”
The post ended with the hashtag #NoDeathPenalty.
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