Pope escalates Trump feud, rebukes admin’s policy on firing squads - BERITAJA

Pope Leo XIV condemned superior reward hours aft the Justice Department announced a sweeping description of national execution methods, including firing squads.

In a video message, the U.S.-born pontiff reiterated the Catholic Church’s school that the decease punishment is “inadmissible.” His remarks came arsenic the Trump management pushed to broaden execution methods for national inmates.

The first American-born pontiff said, “The correct to life is the very instauration of each different quality right. For this reason, only erstwhile a nine safeguards the sanctity of quality life will it flourish and prosper.”

Pope Leo affirmed the dignity of individuals moreover aft crimes are committed, adding that “effective systems of detention could beryllium and person been developed that protect citizens while astatine the aforesaid clip do not wholly deprive those who are blameworthy of the anticipation of redemption.”

Quoting the Catechism’s reference to a 2017 reside by Pope Francis, he said, “The Church teaches that the decease punishment is inadmissible because it is an onslaught connected the inviolability and dignity of the person.”

The message, addressed to DePaul University successful Chicago, marked the 15th day of Illinois abolishing the decease penalty. Pope Leo said, “I truthful subordinate you successful celebrating the determination made by the politician of Illinois successful 2011 and I likewise connection my support to those who advocator for the abolition of the decease punishment successful the United States of America and about the world.”

A time of double condemnations

Pope Leo condemned superior reward again the aforesaid week. During a news convention aboard the papal plane, he was asked about executions successful Iran and said, “I condemn each actions that are unjust. I condemn the taking of people’s lives. I condemn superior punishment.” Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive head of Catholic Mobilizing Network, said the Pope “makes it crystal clear that the decease punishment is simply a privilege for the cosmopolitan Church.” She added, “It was perfectly thrilling to perceive the first American Pope’s encouraging words about decease punishment abolition efforts successful his location authorities and country.”

What the Justice Department announced

The Justice Department said it was acting to “restore its intense work to seek, get and instrumentality lawful superior sentences — clearing the measurement for the Department to transportation retired executions erstwhile death-sentenced inmates person exhausted their appeals.”

Attorney General Todd Blanche authorized seeking decease sentences against 9 individuals aft Trump rescinded the Biden-era moratorium.

Blanche instructed the Bureau of Prisons to update its protocol to see further law methods, including firing squads, electrocution and state asphyxiation. He said, “this modification will thief guarantee the Department is prepared to transportation retired executions moreover if a circumstantial supplier is unavailable.”

In a statement, Blanche said, “The anterior management grounded successful its work to protect the American group by refusing to prosecute and transportation retired the eventual reward against the about vulnerable criminals, including terrorists, kid murderers and bull killers.”

The DOJ besides directed the Bureau of Prisons to research expanding national decease statement and building further execution facilities. It is considering a norm to streamline national habeas reappraisal successful superior cases, perchance reducing the clip betwixt condemnation and execution.

Broader Vatican-White House rift

The conflict complete the decease punishment adds to a widening disagreement betwixt Pope Leo and the Trump administration since January 2026.

Tensions betwixt the United States and the Holy See person grown complete U.S. overseas policy, including subject actions successful Venezuela and Iran. Pope Leo and American Catholic officials person besides criticized Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers complete migration policies and use cuts.

The Pope said God “does not perceive to the prayers of those who costs war,” quoting Isaiah 1:15. On Easter Sunday, he added: “Let those who person weapons laic them down! Let those who person the powerfulness to unleash wars take peace! Not a bid imposed by force, but done dialogue!”

Trump criticized the pontiff’s stance, calling him “terrible connected overseas policy.” Speaking during a travel to Africa, Pope Leo responded, “Too galore group are suffering successful the world today. Too galore guiltless group are being killed. And I deliberation personification has to guidelines up and say, there’s a amended measurement than this.”

Both Pope Leo and Vice President J.D. Vance later said the disagreement had been overstated. The Pope said, “There’s been a definite communicative that has not been meticulous successful each of its aspects… Much of what has been written since past has been much commentary connected commentary.” He added that it was not successful his “interest astatine all” to statement Trump.

I americium grateful to Pope Leo for saying this. While the media communicative perpetually gins up conflict–and yes, existent disagreements person happened and will happen–the reality is often overmuch much complicated.

Pope Leo preaches the gospel, arsenic he should, and that will inevitably mean he… https://t.co/SxWCKyhDSj

— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 18, 2026

Vance wrote connected X, “I americium grateful to Pope Leo for saying this. While the media communicative perpetually gins up conflict — and yes, existent disagreements person happened and will hap — the reality is often overmuch much complicated.”