Vatican City, Oct. 10 -- Pope Leo XIV on Saturday criticised US President Donald Trump's approval of the execution of convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad, reiterating the Catholic Church's opposition to capital punishment and describing the death penalty as an attack on human dignity.

In a post on X, the Pope stressed that justice and public safety could be ensured without resorting to capital punishment, advocating systems of detention that protect citizens while preserving the possibility of redemption for those found guilty.

"The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met w...