Who is against the death penalty?

• In 2015, Pope Francis declared that the death penalty was 'inadmissible', in other words it should not be used in any circumstances.
• Pope John Paul II also emphasised the importance of life in Evangelium Vitae
• Christians and Jews may argue that the death penalty is a mortal sin because it goes against the commandment "thou shall not kill"
• Christians and Jews may argue against it because of the sanctity of life which is the belief that life is sacred and God-given
• Jesus responded in the Old Testament teaching by saying "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them on the other cheek also"
• Jews believe in pikuach nefesh which emphasis the importance of life