Pope Leo XIV emphasized his support for banning the death penalty in a video sent Friday to DePaul University students.
“We affirm that the dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed,” the pope said in a two-minute video.
The message was sent to mark 15 years since Illinois abolished the death penalty — and on the same day the Trump Administration announced a new death penalty push.
“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,” Pope Leo said.
“This is why Pope Francis and my recent predecessors repeatedly insisted that the common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment,” he continued. “Consequently, the church teaches that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.”
The video was played for about 250 DePaul students, faculty and staff at a celebration honoring the 15th anniversary of Illinois abolishing the death penalty. Former Gov. Pat Quinn, who in 2011 signed the legislation to ban capital punishment in Illinois, also attended.
