Discussions of capital punishment do not often address how death sentences affect the people who are left behind.

Mr. Cardenas’s lawyers argued that Texas authorities had not properly informed him that as a Mexican citizen he was entitled to legal aid from the Mexican consulate.

“We absolutely welcome the pope’s strong statement on this issue; we welcome the moral clarity and the leadership he is showing.”

At last, a clear, uncompromising stance of moral opposition to the death penalty by the highest authority of the church.

The pope’s comments and the timing of them suggest that a revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church may be forthcoming to reflect this new development in the church’s understanding.

Ronald Phillips is scheduled to die on Wednesday, July 26.