Pope Leo denounces death penalty as 'inadmissible' ahead of Pentagon's planned livestreamed execution

Pope Leo XIV condemned the death penalty as "inadmissible" as the Pentagon faces criticism over plans to livestream an execution later this year.

Leo, the first American pope, shared his opposition to capital punishment Saturday in a social media post marking World Day Against the Death Penalty.

Citing Catholic doctrine revised under his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo emphasized that the death penalty violates human dignity.

"The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an...