Pope seeks end to death penalty

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI says he supports political actions around the world aimed at eliminating the death penalty, reflecting his stance as an opponent of capital punishment.

He made the comments Wednesday to participants at a meeting being promoted by the Catholic Sant'Egidio Community on the theme "No Justice without Life."

He said he hoped "your deliberations will encourage the political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number of countries to eliminate the death penalty."

Benedict, like his predecessor Pope John Paul II, has appealed for commutation in a number of death penalty cases.