The Pontiff's comments come in support of an international anti-capital punishment conference being held in Rome today by the Catholic group, Sant'Egidio.
Holding it's ninth annual International Congress of the Ministers of Justice, Sant'Egidio says it's aiming to "support to those states beginning a path towards the abolition or suspension of the death penalty".
The World's Top 5 Countries for Executions in 2014*
1. China (1000+)
2. Iran (289+)
3. Saudi Arabia (90+)
4. Iraq (61+)
5. USA (35)
*Amnesty International
Pope Francis spoke at St Peter's Square in Vatican City yesterday.
Sant'Egidio quoted Pope Francis as saying: "I hope this symposium gives a renewed strength to the efforts for the abolition of capital punishment.
"There is a sign of hope in the development of a growing opposition to the death penalty in public opinion, even as a social instrument of legitimate defense.
"Today modern societies have the opportunity to fight crime effectively without permanently removing the chance of redemption from those who have committed crimes.
"This issue has to be considered within the perspective of a penal justice which is more and more in compliance with human dignity and God's plan for humanity and society.
9th International Congress of Ministers of Justice for a world without the death penalty is on. WATCH LIVE! https://t.co/m20I7MVszN
— Comunità Sant'Egidio (@santegidionews) February 22, 2016
Pope Francis went on to say: "The commandment "You shall not kill," has absolute value and applies to both the innocent and the guilty.
"The special Jubilee of Mercy is a propitious occasion to promote, throughout the world, ever more mature forms of respect for life and the dignity of every person.
"Even a criminal maintains an inviolable right to life, which is a gift of God.
"I appeal to the consciences of those who govern to reach an international consensus to abolish the death penalty.
"And I propose, to those among them who are Catholic, to make a courageous and exemplary gesture by seeking a moratorium on executions during this Holy Year of Mercy.
"All Christians and people of good will are called today to work not only for the abolition of the death penalty, but also to improve the conditions of life in prison, in respect of human dignity of persons deprived of liberty."