Pope Leo XIV has stated that the death penalty is 'inadmissible' as the United States announces plans to livestream an execution by firing squad. In a post on X, marking World Day Against the Death Penalty, the pope reiterated the Catholic Church’s stance on capital punishment, describing it as 'an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.' He emphasized that the common good can be maintained and justice served without resorting to capital punishment, noting that effective detention systems exist that allow for the possibility of redemption for those guilty of crimes.
The pope's comments follow US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's announcement that the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, will be livestreamed on December 3. While Pope Leo did not directly address the planned execution or a recent botched execution attempt in Tennessee, his remarks coincided with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, calling the livestream plan 'unacceptable.'
Pope Francis, Leo's predecessor, had previously amended the Catholic Church's teaching in 2018 to declare capital punishment 'inadmissible' in all circumstances. The church's earlier stance allowed for capital punishment if it was the only means to defend lives against an unjust aggressor. The announcement of Hasan's execution livestream has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum in the US. Republican representative Austin Scott expressed support for the execution but criticized the livestreaming aspect, stating, 'livestreaming executions is what Jihadists do. America is better than that.' Similarly, Senator Mark Kelly remarked that while Hasan should 'face justice,' public executions are reminiscent of practices in Iran and the Taliban. A Pentagon official confirmed the livestream plans, but Vice President JD Vance expressed skepticism about whether it would proceed, stating he would not watch it if it did.