This is not a shocking revelation. He is against our death penalty. Being a humanistic sort and not a Christian I can understand why he comes out with this rubbish. He also spoke on behlaf of Timothy McVeigh to spare his life. He always favors life for despicable people and their acts. He just doesn't get it.
Thankfully people exposed to the Bible move away from Catholicism. Third world type countries embrace it but give them time and knowledge and they'll abandon it too. Just give em a Bible and they'll flee it too.
In short the pope has no influence over me and his advice it typically the opposite of what the Bible says since he is spiritually discerned.