Pope Francis Urges U.S. to Commute Death Row Sentences
Pope Francis made an extraordinary appeal on Sunday, calling for U.S. authorities to commute the sentences of those on death row during his weekly address in St. Peter’s Square. In a heartfelt message, the pontiff asked the faithful to pray for the prisoners, urging that their sentences be changed or commuted.
“Today, it comes to my heart to ask all of you to pray for the prisoners in the United States who are on death row,” Pope Francis said, emphasizing the need for compassion and mercy.
The Pope, a staunch opponent of the death penalty, has long campaigned for its abolition. In 2018, he went a step further, formally changing the Catholic Church’s stance to unequivocally oppose capital punishment in all circumstances.
Also Read: Pope Francis Calls for Presidential Election in Lebanon
While the pontiff has consistently advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, he typically refrains from singling out specific nations. His remarks on Sunday marked a rare exception, as he directly addressed the situation in the U.S., where around 2,250 individuals are currently on death row, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Approximately 40 of these prisoners are held in federal custody.
The Pope’s appeal comes amid growing calls from American Catholic groups for President Joe Biden to act on this issue before the end of his term. Advocates are urging the president to use his power to commute federal death sentences.
