Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI Wednesday appealed to politicians to eliminate capital punishment, saying it is a violation of human dignity.
Speaking at the the Vatican to international delegations participating in conference on the theme “No Justice without Life”, the Pope said: “I express my hope that your deliberations will encourage the political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number of countries to eliminate the death penalty.”
The Vatican is a vocal critic of capital punishment, at times equating the persecution of early Christians in ancient Rome to the plight suffered by modern-day prisoners on death row. (IANS)
