Pope Leo calls death penalty ‘inadmissible’ as debate over executions grows

Pope Leo has declared the death penalty inadmissible, arguing that capital punishment violates human dignity and is unnecessary for protecting society.

According to SaharaReporters, the pontiff made the declaration on Saturday, October 10, 2026, through a post on X, stressing that governments can maintain justice without executions.

“The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” he said.

“The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment,” he added.

His remarks come amid renewed international debates over capital punishment, prisoners’ rights and rehabilitation.

In Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission and international partners recently demanded the abolition of capital punishment.

The commission also urged authorities to commute death sentences to life imprisonment.

Nigeria has reportedly not carried out executions since 2016, although more than 3,000 prisoners remain on death row.

Pope Leo maintained that modern detention systems can protect society while preserving opportunities for rehabilitation.