Pope Leo XIV rejects death penalty as US execution plans draw scrutiny

Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed his opposition to the death penalty on October 10, saying justice and public protection can be achieved without taking a person's life.

In a post on X, the pope described capital punishment as an attack on human dignity and personal inviolability. He said modern forms of detention can protect citizens while preserving the possibility of redemption for those convicted.

The statement came amid debate in the United States over a failed execution in Tennessee and plans to livestream a military execution.

Christa Pike survived the state's September 30 lethal-injection attempt after receiving two doses of the drug. She was taken to hospital, and her lawyers subsequently reported that she had regained consciousness.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suspended the remaining executions scheduled for this year and ordered an independent review of the failed attempt.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to broadcast the December 3 firing-squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of killing 13 fellow service members at a military base in Texas.

Leo's post set out the Church's position on capital punishment. It argued that meeting the requirements of justice does not require removing the possibility of rehabilitation.