Pope Leo XIV denounces death penalty as Trump revives execution methods

The Federal Government Expands Execution Methods Amidst Controversy

The Trump administration has announced a significant policy shift by authorizing the use of firing squads for federal executions. This decision marks a deepening commitment to reinstating the death penalty, highlighting a growing rift with Pope Leo XIV and the Catholic Church’s stance on the sanctity of life. The pontiff swiftly condemned this move, emphasizing a fundamental disagreement on human dignity.

In a video message shared with DePaul University, Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Church’s unwavering belief that every human life is sacred from conception to natural death. The pontiff stated, “We affirm that the dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed.”

The pontiff’s statement came shortly after he criticized the use of the death penalty during a conversation aboard the papal plane. This stance reflects broader tensions between the Trump administration and Catholic leadership, which has opposed various policies, including immigration and birthright citizenship.

A New Approach to Federal Executions

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the reauthorization of lethal injections using pentobarbital, a practice halted by the Biden administration over concerns about pain and suffering. This decision aligns with a broader directive from Trump to prioritize federal executions.

The pentobarbital protocol, originally developed in Trump’s first term, is now being defended against critiques from the Biden administration, which questioned its humanitarian aspects. The report released Friday argues that pentobarbital effectively induces unconsciousness, preventing pain during execution.

Currently, five states permit firing squads: Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Federal Death Row: A Changing Landscape

Although federal death row has seen a significant reduction, with only three inmates remaining after President Biden commuted 37 sentences, the Trump administration is actively pursuing new death sentences for 44 defendants. Among the remaining death row inmates are Dylann Roof, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Robert Bowers.

Despite the decrease in federal death row inmates, executions have surged, rising from 25 in 2024 to 47 in 2025. This increase is largely attributed to Florida, which accounted for 19 of the executions, as reported by the Death Penalty Information Center.