Alluding to Jesus' message to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," Pope Francis had bold words about all human life in his speech to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday.
"The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development," the pope said.
That line got a boisterous reaction from Congress, perhaps because it seemed to reference the pontiff's views on abortion -- though the word "abortion" was nowhere in his 3,400-word speech.
But Pope Francis was only getting started, before launching into a much broader swipe at capital punishment and a reminder of the dignity of prisoners and those society has seen fit to punish.
"This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty," Francis said.
Though a loud cheer can be heard after that part of the pope's speech, it didn't nearly receive as much applause and excitement from Congress as his other statement. Did the pope uncover some kind of double standard about which lives matter more to lawmakers?
Preserving the death penalty is part of the GOP platform, and 76 percent of Republicans say the practice is morally acceptable, as opposed to 43 percent of Democrats, according to Gallup.
In his speech, the pope urged lawmakers to recognize prisoners' humanity. "I am convinced that this way is the best, 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," he said.
"Recently, my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty," he continued. "Not only do I support them, but I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation."
Watch a clip from Pope Francis' address below: