Pope Leo declares death penalty ‘inadmissible’ as his native US plans to livestream execution

Pope Leo XIV issued a statement declaring capital punishment "inadmissible" on Saturday, coinciding with World Day Against the Death Penalty. The American pope referenced revised Catholic teaching on capital punishment, stating that the death penalty attacks the inherent dignity of a human being and fails to meet the requirements of justice. In a post on X, Leo emphasized that effective detention systems can protect citizens while not completely depriving guilty individuals of redemption.

The United States Defense Department announced that Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 and wounded 32, will be executed by firing squad on December 3. The scheduled execution will be livestreamed, sparking backlash from the Vatican.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, explicitly condemned the planned public execution as "unacceptable." He argued that the death penalty is incompatible with human dignity and serves no deterrent purpose. The head of the U.S. bishops conference, Archbishop Paul Coakley, expressed shock and sorrow at the Pentagon's decision, calling it a "barbaric promotion of a culture of death" and urging reconsideration.