Pope Francis has spoken out against the death penalty in the historic first papal visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Holy Father included a denunciation of capital punishment as part of a general defence of the right to life during a speech to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, civic dignitaries and diplomatic corps at the Sakhir Royal Palace.

“I express my appreciation for the International Conferences and the possibilities for encounter that this Kingdom organises and promotes, stressing in particular the themes of respect, tolerance, and religious freedom,” the Pope said on the first day of his three-day visit to the Arab kingdom.