U.S. Justice Department under Trump resumes federal executions, reversing Biden-era moratorium. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche approved death sentences for 44 defendants, 9 already approved. Lethal injection protocols using pentobarbital are to be readopted, described as 'more humane'. Pope Leo XIV opposes capital punishment, marking 15th anniversary of Illinois abolishing it. Feud between Trump and Pope over death penalty, with Trump calling Leo 'terrible'. Public support for capital punishment has declined significantly over three decades. Campaigners warn of risks of irreversible miscarriages of justice