US government condemned by Pope as they bring back 17th-century execution method
Pope Leo XIV is criticising Donald Trump's government once again after reviving one of the oldest methods of capital punishment in modern America.
A directive issued by the United States Department of Justice instructs the Bureau of Prisons to expand the range of execution methods available to the federal government.
This includes firing squads, electrocution and nitrogen gas, alongside lethal injection.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the changes are being put forward to 'strengthen the death penalty' and ensure the government can carry out executions even if lethal injection drugs are unavailable.
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“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice is once again enforcing the law and standing with victims,” Blanche said.
Pope Leo XIV, however, argued that 'the dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed'.
It comes after Trump was criticised for posting a now-deleted photo depicting himself as Jesus Christ.
In a message for an event commemorating the 15th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois, he offered 'support to those who advocate for the abolition of the death penalty in the United States of America and around the world'.
“I pray that your efforts will lead to a greater acknowledgement of the dignity of every person, and will inspire others to work for the same just cause,” he added.
Firing squads
Firing squads were widely used centuries ago and later adopted by military courts and some US states.
Although rarely used today, the method has reappeared in recent years as states face difficulties obtaining drugs used for lethal injections.
47 people were executed in the United States in 2025, the highest total in 16 years.
Of those executions 39 were by lethal injection, five were by nitrogen gas and three were by firing squad.
A firing squad execution involves several trained shooters firing rifles at a condemned prisoner simultaneously.
The prisoner is typically restrained to a chair with a target placed over the heart, and the shooters aim to cause immediate death by destroying vital organs.
Electrocution
Electrocution uses an electric chair to send powerful electrical currents through the prisoner’s body.
Electrodes are attached to the head and leg, and high-voltage shocks are applied to stop the heart and destroy brain activity.
Nitrogen gas
Nitrogen gas executions, sometimes called nitrogen hypoxia, involve forcing a person to breathe pure nitrogen through a mask. Because nitrogen displaces oxygen, the person eventually loses consciousness and dies from lack of oxygen.
“The prior administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers,” Blanche said on Friday.
The Department added that is also looking to 'streamline the process for seeking death sentences' and cut down the number of years between conviction and execution.
"Today, the Department of Justice acted to restore its solemn duty to seek, obtain, and implement lawful capital sentences – clearing the way for the Department to carry out executions once death-sentenced inmates have exhausted their appeals," it said.
Topics: US News, Pope Francis, Donald Trump, Politics
Anish Vij