Pope Leo calls death penalty

Pope Leo XIV declared that capital punishment is "inadmissible" as the United States plans to livestream an execution by firing squad.

"The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment," read the post under Leo's official handle, @Pontifex. "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."

However, Leo's post came just hours after his top deputy, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said explicitly that the planned U.S. public execution was "unacceptable."

Speaking specifically about the United States, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said the planned livestreamed execution was "truly incomprehensible" and "unacceptable to turn death into a spectacle."

The head of the U.S. bishops conference, Archbishop Paul Coakley, expressed "shock" and "great sorrow" at the Pentagon's plans.

On Friday, President Trump said he approves of Hasan's execution by firing squad.

Mr. Trump did not appear to answer when asked whether it was appropriate to livestream the event or whether he was going to watch the execution.

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