Ted Cruz calls out Pope Francis over the death penalty

Pope Francis his motorcade in New York's Central Park, September 25, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Pool / Richard DREWRICHARD DREW/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis his motorcade in New York's Central Park, September 25, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Pool / Richard DREWRICHARD DREW/AFP/Getty Images Photo: RICHARD DREW, AFP / Getty Images Photo: RICHARD DREW, AFP / Getty Images Image 1 of / 149 Caption Close Ted Cruz calls out Pope Francis over the death penalty 1 / 149 Back to Gallery

Pope Francis doesn’t like the death penalty, calling every life sacred. Ted Cruz dislikes the pope’s opinion because he says that same preciousness of life justifies the ultimate punishment for the worst criminals.

The pope’s anti-capital punishment views won’t jibe with what too many Republicans believe. Cruz has voiced his disagreement to Politico shortly after Francis spoke to Congress on Thursday morning.

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“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 said. “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.”

The Texas senator – who has praised Francis and tried to paint the progressive pope as a social conservative in the run-up to his first U.S. visit – said he respects the Church’s teachers but disagrees on the death penalty as a policy matter.

Said Francis: “Since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.”

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Other Republican presidential candidates likely will come out in the upcoming days to simultaneously say they admire Francis but don’t share the progressive pope’s viewpoints. Donald Trump already has reiterated that he disagrees with the Catholic leader on climate change and immigration reform, despite Francis’ “beautiful” words.

Last year, Trump also said he would like to have the Pope on "Celebrity Apprentice."