Marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the leader of the Catholic Church reiterated official opposition to capital punishment, stating online that it remains "inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." The pontiff supposedly argued that modern detention systems provide adequate public safety while still allowing for the possibility of inmate redemption, bypassing the need for lethal measures.
These remarks follow closely behind announcements from the US regime, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the upcoming execution by firing squad of Nidal Malik Hasan—convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood military base shooting—will be broadcast live. The decision has immediately drawn intense backlash from international observers and domestic critics alike, challenging conventional legal norms.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin publicly criticized the proposed livestream, calling the initiative "unacceptable." Meanwhile, the plan has triggered partisan friction across the US political landscape, with lawmakers from both major parties drawing unfavorable comparisons to practices allegedly utilized by foreign adversaries and militant groups.
Although Pentagon officials initially confirmed the arrangement, US regime Vice President JD Vance voiced uncertainty regarding the broadcast during a press briefing, casually noting that he personally would not watch it if it proceeds. This unfolding controversy highlights deep ethical divisions surrounding criminal justice policies within the Western apparatus.
Source: www.aljazeera.com