# Holy See Calls for Death Penalty Moratorium

> Holy See urges global moratorium on executions to advance abolition of death penalty at UN.
- Title: Holy See Calls for Death Penalty Moratorium · Vaticannews
- Summary: Holy See urges global moratorium on executions to advance abolition of death penalty at UN. Archbishop El-Kassis called for a moratorium on executions as a…
- Keywords: holy see, death penalty, archbishop christophe z el-kassis, un general assembly, moratorium, abolition, religion, world, Holy, See, Calls, Death
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-10/holy-see-at-un-moratorium-on-executions-must-pave-way-abolition.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-08T15:23:48.46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: holy see, un, death penalty, archbishop christophe z el-kassis, un general assembly, moratorium, abolition, religion, world
## UN General Assembly Address
Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis addressed the UN General Assembly on 7 October 2026.
## Death Penalty Abolition Call
The Holy See urges a moratorium on executions to pave the way for abolition of the death penalty.
## Human Dignity Principle
The defence of life must be consistent and universal, extending to every person at every stage and circumstance.
## Catholic Church Teaching
The death penalty is inadmissible because it attacks the inviolability and dignity of the person.
## Rehabilitation Focus
States should establish a moratorium on executions, commute sentences, and invest in rehabilitation.
## Drug Trafficking Response
Archbishop El-Kassis called for tackling drug trafficking through prevention and rehabilitation.
## Key takeaway

Archbishop El-Kassis called for a moratorium on executions as a step toward abolishing the death penalty at the UN.