Pope Francis Advocates for Debt Forgiveness and Abolition of Death Penalty

VATICAN CITY: In a message for World Peace Day 2025, Pope Francis has called for debt relief for impoverished nations and a global end to the death penalty. The pontiff’s appeal, released by the Vatican, underscores his commitment to fostering a “culture of life” and addressing economic imbalances between wealthy and poorer countries.

According to Ansa News Agency, Pope Francis emphasized the need to eliminate the death penalty worldwide, arguing that it undermines the sanctity of life and extinguishes any possibility for forgiveness and rehabilitation. The pontiff highlighted the moral and ethical implications of capital punishment, urging nations to reconsider its use.

Furthermore, Pope Francis reiterated concerns about the burden of foreign debt on poorer countries, describing it as a tool of exploitation used by wealthier nations and financial institutions. The pope linked foreign debt to ecological debt, asserting that both stem from a mindset of exploitation that has led to a global debt crisis.

In t
he context of the Jubilee Year, the pope called on the international community to recognize the ecological debt owed to the Global South and to work towards forgiving foreign debt. He framed this appeal as a matter of justice, emphasizing the need for solidarity between nations.