Republican presidential candidate and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told Politico Thursday that he disagreed with Pope Francis that the death penalty should end and said that it was a “recognition of the preciousness of human life.”
Pope Francis called to end the death penalty during his speech to Congress Thursday.
“This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty,” the pope told Congress, according to Al Jazeera. “I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred.”
Cruz told Politico after the pope’s speech that, “as a policy matter, I do not agree.”
“I spent a number of years in law enforcement dealing with some of the worst criminals, child rapists and murderers, people who’ve committed unspeakable acts,” Cruz told the publication. “I believe the death penalty is a recognition of the preciousness of human life, that for the most egregious crimes, the ultimate punishment should apply.”