Evolution of Catholic Teaching on the Death Penalty

What was the older Catholic teaching on the death penalty?

state has the right to execute under certain conditions:

1. must be a grave crime

2. certain a person is guilty

3. established through a trial

What position did the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Conference take regarding the reintroduction of the death penalty in 1974?

they decide it’s better not to use the death penalty if there are other options

How did the official teaching change with John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae in 1995?

he doesn’t say it’s wrong in all historical conditions, that there must be no alternative means of defending society, must use a “bloodless” alternative if available, and he seems to doubt that death penalty is ever a met case standard

How did Catholic teaching on the death penalty evolve under Pope Francis?

francis clarifies on what john paul II thoughts (clarify catechism to apply to today), concludes it’s unacceptable today and leaves question open for the past