Pope Francis came out squarely against the death penalty on March 20, calling it “unacceptable” regardless of the seriousness of the crime of the condemned. Pope Francis met with a three-person delegation of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty and issued a letter on the occasion urging worldwide abolition of the penalty. The pope called capital punishment “cruel, inhumane and degrading” and said it “does not bring justice to the victims, but only foments revenge.” Furthermore, in a modern “state of law, the death penalty represents a failure” because it obliges the state to kill in the name of justice, the pope said. Rather, it is a method frequently used by “totalitarian regimes and fanatical groups” to do away with “political dissidents, minorities” and any other person deemed a threat to their power and to their goals. Just a few days earlier, on March 17, the bishops of Nebraska had called for repeal of their state’s death penalty and reform of the criminal justice system.
Death Penalty ‘Unacceptable’
Show Comments ()
1
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
Mike Evans
10 years 1 month ago
Too much hate for this to ever go away. Now Utah wants to use bullets. Hardly a peep of outrage from our many "Christian" leaders. Next, they will bring back public flogging and crucifixion.
The latest from america
The conclave that begins next Wednesday to elect a successor for Pope Francis is the first in 46 ½ years for which the Vatican hasn’t ordered a set of cassocks from the two best-known papal tailors.
Papabile: How do conclave watchers come up with their lists of the next pope—and should we trust them?
The people of God see the bishop of Rome as a teacher, but they also unquestionably see him as a father.
Since the death of Pope Francis, lists of his possible successors have proliferated on social media and in newspapers. Should you trust them?