Pope Leo XIV Condemns Death Penalty Amid Execution Debate

Pope Leo XIV criticized capital punishment after the US Defense Department announced plans to livestream the December execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the convicted Fort Hood shooter, drawing opposition from Catholic leaders and lawmakers over the public display of an execution.

The Defense Department announced Thursday that Hasan would be executed by firing squad at Fort Hood on Dec. 3. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 shooting at the military base, according to the Associated Press.

Pope Leo XIV addressed the issue through his official social media account on Saturday, citing Catholic teaching that rejects the death penalty. His message did not directly mention Hasan's case but came after criticism from Vatican officials.

"The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment." read the post from Pope Leo XIV.

"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." read the post from Pope Leo XIV.

The pope's statement followed comments from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, who directly criticized the planned livestream and said executions should not become public spectacles.

"an attack" described Pope Leo XIV, referring to the death penalty's impact on human dignity.

"The Church’s position is one of total opposition to the death penalty; it is incompatible with human dignity and serves as no deterrent—," said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

"It is truly incomprehensible that anyone would want to use this system today — I don’t know for what purpose. It is certainly unacceptable to turn death into a spectacle; even if the person is guilty, of course, there are other methods." said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

US Vice President JD Vance questioned whether the livestream plan would happen but said Hasan's crimes should remain the focus of public discussion. Vance said he would not watch the execution if it is broadcast.

"So whatever the controversy is about the method of the execution, I hope that people don't forget that this is a guy who brutally murdered a lot of innocent people," said JD Vance, US vice president.

"Now, that said, I mean, look, if it's ultimately livestreamed, I'm not going to be watching it," said JD Vance, US vice president.

President Donald Trump previously supported Hasan's execution by firing squad and said the method was appropriate, while also saying officials were deciding whether a livestream would occur.

"he deserves it." said Donald Trump, US president.

"Well, they're making a determination about that," said Donald Trump, US president.

"He will be killed. He will be, through firing squad," said Donald Trump, US president.

"I really don't care how he goes, as long as he goes. And I think the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him." said Donald Trump, US president.

The president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops also objected to the Pentagon plan, while congressional members from both parties criticized the decision.

"It is with shock and great sorrow that I have learned of the Department of War's decision to publicly livestream the execution," said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered." said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Senators from both parties called the livestream proposal inappropriate and raised concerns about its impact on US values and personnel abroad.

"Beyond disgusting," said Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican senator from North Carolina.

"gruesome" said lawmakers, describing the execution livestream decision.

"disgusting" said lawmakers, describing the execution livestream decision.

"almost no countries in the world engage in this barbaric practice." said Sen. Mark Warner, Democratic senator from Virginia.

"to reverse this gruesome decision." said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republican senator from Alaska.

"feeding that appetite" said Sen. John Curtis, Republican senator from Utah.

The planned execution has also renewed debate over capital punishment after a failed lethal injection attempt involving Christa Pike in Tennessee. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military has not carried out a firing squad execution since World War II.