Capital Punishment
The Latest
Catholics join coalition opposed to the death penalty amid execution surge
Catholics and pro-life conservatives formed a coalition of more than 50 organizations seeking to end the death penalty. Read more
‘Every execution should be stopped’: How U.S. bishops work to save prisoners on death row
Bishops in multiple U.S. states are leading efforts to spare the lives of condemned prisoners facing execution. Read more
Where does the United States stand on life issues?
Here’s an overview of the laws around life issues across the United States as of August 2025. Read more
Florida bishops call for novena to end death penalty after ninth execution sets record
The novena began Aug. 6 and concludes Aug. 14, the memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest executed in... Read more
Lawyers for Mikal Mahdi allege ‘botched’ firing squad execution in South Carolina
According to a status report filed by Mikal Mahdi’s lawyers, the autopsy and eyewitness accounts of his death raise several... Read more
First nitrogen gas execution in Louisiana takes place amid Catholic opposition
Jessie Hoffman Jr. was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. after undergoing nineteen minutes of nitrogen gas. Read more
South Carolina inmate to die by firing squad, Tennessee resumes executions with new drug
Beginning in the 1980s, execution by lethal injection has become the primary method for executions in most states that have... Read more
Does the death penalty deter crime?
The debate on whether the death penalty deters and lowers rates of crime is a long-simmering one, with both sides... Read more
Trump signs pro-death penalty order, calls capital punishment an ‘essential tool’
Trump in his order describes the death penalty as an “essential tool for deterring and punishing those who would commit... Read more
Biden commutes death row sentences of 37 federal prisoners
The White House announced the clemencies on Monday morning, stating that the president was “commuting the sentences of 37 individuals... Read more
Pope Francis releases World Day of Peace message, renews call to end death penalty
Pope Francis on Thursday released his message for the 58th World Day of Peace, commemorated annually on Jan. 1, with... Read more
Texas Supreme Court allows previously-delayed execution of Robert Roberson to proceed
The Texas House of Representatives Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence last month issued a subpoena for Robert Roberson to appear before... Read more
Texas death row inmate, spared execution, barred from testifying to state lawmakers
Robert Roberson was convicted in 2003 of the murder of his infant daughter, Nikki, whom he had brought to a... Read more
Texas man’s execution halted after last-minute subpoena to testify before state Legislature
The Supreme Court of Texas said in a post on X late Thursday that it had “effectively [halted] the execution... Read more
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in consequential Oklahoma death penalty case
This is the second time Richard Glossip’s contentious death sentence has come before the Supreme Court. Read more
Pope Francis pens preface to US death row chaplain’s book on death penalty
The pope personally penned the introduction to “A Christian on Death Row: My Commitment to Those Condemned” by Dale Recinella. Read more
Anti-death penalty activists celebrate 200th death row exoneree: ‘Undoubtedly optimistic’
Catholic Mobilizing Network said in a press release that California prisoner Larry Roberts had become “the 200th death row exoneration... Read more
California governor: Pope Francis told me he was ‘proud’ of state’s death penalty moratorium
No one has been executed in California since 2006, due in part to a moratorium beginning in 2019 that Newsom... Read more
Oklahoma attorney general asks Supreme Court to halt execution of condemned convict
Since Richard Glossip’s initial conviction, two independent investigations have uncovered serious problems with his trial. Read more
Missouri bishops plead for death row inmate on eve of execution
The Catholic bishops of Missouri are urging the faithful to contact Gov. Mike Parson to stay the execution of convicted... Read more
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