Pope Leo XIV leads global calls to abolish the death penalty on World Day

Pope Leo XIV has reportedly joined global calls to abolish the death penalty by advocating for the preservation of human dignity and the safeguarding of the right to life.

The appeal comes today on the World Day against the death penalty stating, “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. 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.”

The Pope’s post came a day after Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and the President of the US Bishops Conference along with lawmakers condemned the planned public execution of Nidal Hasan.

The Pentagon publicized his execution by firing squad scheduled for December 3, 2026 although legal proceedings could postpone it. Cardinal Parolin on Friday said plans for a broadcast execution was intolerable.

On social platform X, users have been responding with one writing, “Pope Leo thinks he knows more than a vast majority of Popes before him. He of course is a charlatan. An open society liberal wearing a costume. He is a destroyer of civilization and should be mocked or ignored.”

Second added, “Jesus supported the death penalty. Thank you for once again proving the Protestants are right.”