Pope Leo XIV opposes death penalty as U.S. approves firing squads

The Trump administration announced this week that it will authorize firing squads as a federally permitted method of execution, marking a significant step in its efforts to revive the death penalty. Hours after this announcement, Pope Leo XIV condemned capital punishment, stating, "We affirm that the dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed." This condemnation was made during a prerecorded message for DePaul University, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Illinois' abolition of the death penalty.

The timing of Pope Leo's remarks highlights a growing rift between the Trump administration and Catholic leaders, who have also opposed the administration's immigration policies. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that the Justice Department is reauthorizing lethal injection using the sedative pentobarbital, which had been withdrawn by the Biden administration due to concerns over potential suffering. The Trump administration's report disputes these findings, asserting that pentobarbital effectively prevents pain during execution.

Despite a reduced number of federal death row inmates, the administration is pursuing death sentences against 44 defendants, with executions rising sharply from 25 in 2024 to 47 in 2025. This increase is largely attributed to Florida, which accounted for 19 of the total executions. The Pope's opposition to the death penalty, juxtaposed with the administration's aggressive stance, places American Catholics in a challenging position regarding their faith and political alignment.