Pope Leo XIV told delegates in Rome on Wednesday, 15 May, that he rejects the use of the death penalty for drug trafficking and organised crime offences, urging governments across the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) region to choose 'mercy' and rehabilitation over execution or degrading punishment.
Pope Leo was addressing participants in the Second International Conference on the Fight against Drugs and Organized Crime in the OSCE region, a two-day meeting held on 14 and 15 May and hosted by the Italian Parliament.
