Scottish Catholic Observer

After praying the Angelus in St Peter’s Square, the Pope called on all Christians and people of good will to work ‘not only for the abolition of the death penalty’ but also to improve the conditions in prison. These efforts would respect the human dignity of prisoners, he said.

He appealed to the consciences of government leaders to join ‘the international consensus for the abolition of the death penalty.’ He asked Catholic leaders not to hold executions during the Year of Mercy. This would be as a ‘courageous and exemplary act,’ he said.

Rome hosted an international convention for those working to abolish the death penalty on February 22 during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The event is being promoted by the Sant’Egidio Community.

The Holy Father said that he hoped that the gathering can strengthen efforts to abolish capital punishment.

“The commandment ‘Thou shall not kill’ has absolute value and concerns both the innocent and the guilty,” he said. Even criminals ‘maintain the inviolable right to life, the gift of God.’

He said the penal system must always be open to the hope of reintegrating criminals into society. The Pope condemned the death penalty on during his visit to the United States last September.

“The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development,” he told a joint meeting of Congress.

Before the Angelus on Sunday, the Holy Father discussed the Gospel reading and the Transfiguration of Jesus. He connected this to his recent trip to Mexico. The Pope said his apostolic visit to Mexico was ‘an experience of transfiguration.’ He added: “The Lord has shown us the light of His glory through the body of the Church, the body of his holy people who live in that land.”

The Holy Father spoke with many people during the February 12-18 visit, including families, workers and prisoners. He said that these people gave ‘a testimony of a clear and strong faith, the testimony of a lived faith, of a faith that transfigures life.”