Pope Leo XIV on Saturday declared capital punishment "inadmissible" in a social media post marking World Day Against the Death Penalty, a statement that lands as the Pentagon moves forward with plans to broadcast the December execution of former Army Maj. Nidal Hasan.
The pontiff wrote that the death penalty "is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person," and argued that modern detention systems allow society to protect itself without resorting to executions. "The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment," he said, emphasizing that even the guilty retain the possibility of redemption.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was convicted for the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, that killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 others. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that the execution, scheduled for Dec. 3, would be open to public viewing via livestream. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Catholic leaders and lawmakers across the political spectrum.
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told reporters Friday that the plan was "truly incomprehensible" and "unacceptable to turn death into a spectacle." He added that regardless of the severity of the crime, "there are other ways" to administer justice. His remarks were reported by Vatican News.
Archbishop Paul Croakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also urged the Pentagon to reconsider. "In no way can Hasan's actions be condoned, but this decision is a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered," he said in an interview with Vatican News.
The controversy has also fueled political debate. Several GOP lawmakers have publicly condemned the livestream plan, while some Democrats have called for Hegseth's removal. Sen. Ossoff described Hegseth as "deeply unwell" over the proposal, and Sen. Murkowski has also blasted the decision. Meanwhile, President Trump has shown signs of wavering on whether to proceed with the broadcast.
The Vatican's stance aligns with the Catholic Church's modern teaching, which under Pope Francis had already declared the death penalty inadmissible in all cases. Pope Leo's message reinforces that position, though he did not directly reference Hasan's case.
The Pentagon has not yet responded to the pontiff's criticism. The Hill has reached out for comment.
As the execution date approaches, the debate over public access to state-sponsored killings continues to intensify, raising questions about transparency, retribution, and the moral limits of punishment in a digital age.
