Pope Leo XIV joined in celebrating the 15th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois with a video message offering support to those who advocate for abolishing capital punishment in the U.S. and around the world.

"I pray that your efforts will lead to a greater acknowledgment of the dignity of every person," the pope said, "and will inspire others to work for the same just cause."

The Church has consistently taught that human life is sacred, the pope said, adding that "only when a society safeguards the sanctity of human life will it flourish and prosper."

The "dignity of the person is not lost even after very serious crimes are committed," Pope Leo said. Because we have effective systems of detention that protect citizens while preserving the possibility of redemption for those who are guilty, he continued, the Catechism instructs that "the common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment."

"Consequently," the pope said, citing Pope Francis's revision of the Catechism, "the Church teaches that 'the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.'"

The April 24 message came two days after Pope Leo spoke directly to people incarcerated at Bata Prison in Equatorial Guinea. He emphasized that, in order to protect society, the administration of justice "must always promote the dignity and potential of every person."

"Life is not defined solely by one's mistakes, which are often the result of difficult and complex circumstances," the pope said in the middle of a rainstorm. "There is always the possibility to start over, learn and become a new person."