Pope Francis has outlined his opposition to capital punishment in a letter . Pontiff said death penalty 'fosters vengeance ' and does not 'render justice ' Also criticised life imprisonment , which he says is 'covert death sentence ' He is on today trip to Naples a day where he visited inmates in local prison . Francis had lunch with 10 gay , transgender and HIV-suffering inmates there .
Pope Francis has outlined his opposition to capital punishment in a letter . Pontiff said death penalty 'fosters vengeance ' and does not 'render justice ' Also criticised life imprisonment , which he says is 'covert death sentence ' He is on a day trip to Naples today where he visited inmates in local prison . Francis had lunch with 10 gay , transgender and HIV-suffering inmates there .