In a recent development, it seems that Pope Leo has once again criticized the current administration led by Donald Trump for its intentions to broaden the use of the federal death penalty in the United States, including the potential implementation of firing squads.

The US Department of Justice unveiled these plans today, outlining the legal rationale behind multiple execution methods. The department stated its aim to reinstate the pursuit and execution of lawful capital sentences after inmates on death row have exhausted their legal appeals.

According to the DoJ, they aim to reintroduce the lethal injection protocol from the previous Trump Administration, utilizing pentobarbital as the lethal substance. Additionally, they plan to extend the protocol to include alternative execution methods such as firing squads.

Responding to these plans, Pope Leo expressed his support for those advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in the United States and worldwide. He emphasized the sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death, advocating for the protection of this inherent dignity.

The Department of Justice also revealed its efforts to expedite death penalty cases by streamlining internal processes and lifting the moratorium on federal executions imposed during the Biden administration. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche has already approved seeking death sentences against nine out of 44 defendants identified for this purpose.

Notably, Donald Trump had previously signed an executive order early in his tenure, affirming his commitment to pursuing federal death sentences and ensuring adequate lethal injection supplies for states.