Vatican City

Papal and Vatican Statements

The Holy See (the Vatican) advocates on behalf of all life, including the condemned. Below is a list of recent papal statements relating to Catholic teaching on the death penalty. 

More Papal and Vatican Statements

"Thank you, Lord, for the witness of those who inflicted suffering and who ask for forgiveness; for the witness of those who suffered unjustly and who forgive.

On Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018 Pope Francis' General Audience highlighted the role of sin in violating our relationship with God and neighbor alike.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Statements

In the Catholic Church in the United States, pastoral statements are offered by individual bishops in: dioceses, state Catholic conferences, regional synods, or the national conference (USCCB). In the case of the death penalty, U.S. bishops have been strong anti-death penalty advocates.

More United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Statements

"Primarily, this report is an accounting of the vibrancy and sacredness that constitutes Catholic faith and Native American cultures.

As Catholics, we need to ask the following: How can we restore our respect for law and life? How can we protect and rebuild communities, confront crime without vengeance, and defend life without taking life? These questions challenge us as pastors and as teachers of the Gospel.

Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. – Pope Francis

Other Catholic Organizations

Many Catholic Organizations have issued statements against the use of the death penalty. On this page, you will find a selection of statements from Catholic organizations at the state and national level.  If you are a member of a Catholic organization and you have issued a statement on the death penalty which is not listed here, please contact CMN.

More Other Catholic Organizations

"Each human has innate dignity, even those whose lives have been deeply marred by injustice, and those responsible for causing it."