Pope Leo XIV has expressed strong opposition to the death penalty following the Pentagon’s announcement to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. The pope emphasized that capital punishment undermines the inviolability and dignity of individuals.
In a statement shared on X, Pope Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, advocated for alternatives to the death penalty. He noted, “The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment. 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.”
Following the Pentagon’s confirmation of the livestream plan, criticism has emerged from both Democrats and Republicans. On Friday, Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also criticized the decision. He described it as “a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered.”
This situation continues to unfold, and further updates are anticipated.