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Trump DOJ OKs Firing Squads, Pope Decries Death Penalty.

4/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump's Justice Department announced that firing squads and a single-drug lethal injection using pentobarbital will be authorized for federal executions.
Pope Leo XIV issued a video statement reaffirming the Catholic Church’s opposition to capital punishment on the same day.
The Death Penalty Information Center reported federal executions rose to 47 in 2025, up from 25 in 2024, with most occurring in Florida.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump's Justice Department announced that firing squads and a single-drug lethal injection using pentobarbital will be authorized for federal executions.
Pope Leo XIV issued a video statement reaffirming the Catholic Church’s opposition to capital punishment on the same day.
The Death Penalty Information Center reported federal executions rose to 47 in 2025, up from 25 in 2024, with most occurring in Florida.