Vatican City—U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. emphasized the importance of integrating mercy into the legal system during a recent event at the Vatican. The discussion, held on September 20, was organized by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, the U.S. bishops’ conference, and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization as part of the Jubilee of Justice in the Church’s Jubilee of Hope.
Alito, who is 75 and has been on the Supreme Court since 2006, met with Pope Leo XIV earlier in the day for a public audience at St. Peter’s Square, celebrating the Jubilee of Workers of Justice. Following this, he engaged in a conversation with Msgr. Laurence Spiteri, a retired American priest and judge from the Vatican’s marriage appeals court.
During the one-hour discussion, Alito articulated his views on how a legal framework can embody mercy. He remarked, “Justice is what everyone has a right to, it is what they are due… Mercy is something that we don’t necessarily merit.” He acknowledged the complexity of achieving harmony between these two concepts, suggesting that this reconciliation may be beyond human capacity.
Highlighting the role of legislation, Alito stated that mercy should be a fundamental component in laws created by Congress. “The authority to make the laws rests with Congress, and they should incorporate mercy when enacting legislation,” he added. Alito also addressed the responsibilities of the executive branch, led by the president, indicating that while laws need to be enforced, those who have discretion in their application ought to do so with compassion.
He pointed out that judges must adhere to the law, but in some cases, the law permits them to exercise mercy, particularly regarding criminal sentencing. “While the legal system is inherently designed to uphold justice, the complete reconciliation of mercy and justice may only be achievable by a higher power,” Alito remarked.
The event drew an audience of notable figures, including Vatican officials like Cardinal Raymond Burke and Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta, both of whom play significant roles within the Church’s judicial system. A group of Catholic lawyers attending the Jubilee of Justice pilgrimage also joined the conversation, which took place in the Cancelleria, a historic building in Rome central to the Holy See’s judicial operations.
Alito’s reflections on mercy present a thought-provoking dialogue about the complexities of justice within legal frameworks, underscoring an ongoing discussion not only within the legal community but also among faith leaders and policymakers alike.
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