Holy See Renews Calls for Abolition of Death Penalty

Vatican, October 10, 2025: The Holy See addressed the 2025 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference during the plenary session on the rule of law, calling for the universal abolition of the death penalty and noting that the unchallengeable, God-given dignity of every human person is immutable from conception to natural death, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to defending the inalienable dignity of every human being.

Truth for human dignity

Msgr. Lucas Marabese, Deputy Head of Mission of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), delivered a statement at the conference.

He stressed that human dignity, bestowed by God, is inviolable from conception until natural death. He also condemned any form of mutilation, torment inflicted on body or mind, and attempts to coerce the will itself.

The Delegation reiterated the Church’s consistent rejection of torture and all forms of inhumane treatment, citing international human rights instruments that uphold the absolute prohibition of torture as a non-negotiable principle.

Institutions tasked with establishing criminal responsibility should diligently pursue the truth, he said, ensuring their proceedings fully respect the dignity and rights of the human person, highlighting the necessity of just and humane procedures in criminal investigations.

Safeguarding the common good

Addressing capital punishment, the Holy See's representative recalled its historical context but underscored the growing global recognition of its incompatibility with human dignity.

He observed the increasing awareness that even those guilty of grave crimes retain their inherent dignity, alongside the development of penal systems that protect society without denying offenders the possibility of redemption.

“Bearing this in mind, the Holy See considers the death penalty excluded because it is an attack on the sacredness and dignity of the person,” Msgr. Marabese declared. “Therefore, it will continue to press with determination for its abolition worldwide.”

Courtesy: Vatican News

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