South Carolina: If we end death penalty, shouldn’t life term be till death?

Citing Matthew 7:12, Francis said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” “The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development”, he said. Yes, he supported protection of life from conception, but included a call to global abolition of the death penalty.

A bail plea filed by five murder convicts from Chhattisgarh led to a bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday commenting at length about the death penalty.

The death penalty has recently been an issue among many U.S. Bishops and priests, who are demanding that it be done away with. “If we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities”. “I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred”, he added.

Pope Francis has expressed his stance on the abolition of the death penalty in the past, though this his first instance of addressing his views directly to USA lawmakers.

What the Friday: Pope Francis touted the Golden Rule to Congress. One guy didn’t get the message.

– Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) September 24, 2015Pope Francis calls for the end of the death penalty, saying punishment should not exclude hope and rehabilitation. These six – Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas – would constitute a voting majority of the court in the event that they agreed on the hot-button social issues of the day.

Apart from focusing on the death penalty issue, Pope Francis also addressed the problems of fundamentalism and anti-immigration policies.

The Pope told the audience that foreigners must not be feared and that he too, was the son of immigrant parents.

The Pope, who by Catholic doctrine may claim infallibility in matters of faith and morals, has staked out a position diametrically opposed to the position of the U.S. Supreme Court on the matters of the death penalty, same-sex marriage and abortion.

He also called for global vigilance against fundamentalism of all kinds, but warned a “delicate balance” must be struck between fighting extremism and preserving religious freedoms.