Pope Francis has altered Catholic teaching by declaring the death penalty an attack on human dignity. The Vatican is correct and conservative politicians should work to purge this lethal tool from states’ arsenals.

Properly understood conservatism finds the death penalty unconscionable. Simply put, the party of life cannot also be the party of death.

Recommended Stories

Woodburn mayor slams Oregon’s governor over decision to commute death sentence

Jeff Sessions directs prosecutors to seek death penalty in certain drug cases

Victims of crime and reformers should work together on criminal justice reform