Vatican calls U.N. vote against death penalty 'sign of hope'

Published: 2007-12-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican said it was a "sign of hope" that the United Nations had voted for a moratorium on the death penalty. By a 104-54 vote Dec. 18, the U.N. General Assembly approved the nonbinding resolution to suspend executions. The United States was among the countries opposing the resolution; 29 nations abstained. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the vote was "a very positive event." "It shows that despite the persistence of so much violence in the world, there is a growing awareness in the human family of the value of life, of the dignity of every person and of the concept of a nonvindictive punishment," Father Lombardi said. He said it showed that people increasingly favor justice that respects human rights and refuses "every violent solution." He said, "Therefore, this vote should be interpreted as a sign of hope and a step forward on the way of peace."

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