Why was the Pope allowed to execute people?

Answer 1

The popes were, for about 1100 years, the sovereign kings of central Italy, a country known then as the Papal State. They therefore had the authority to determine punishments for crimes, including execution, even though this was against the teaching of the Church in its history before and since.

Answer 2

The Pope was not granted the jurisdiction or authority to execute people. The Catholic Church as an institution did not have the power to carry out executions. However, historically, the Papal States, which were territories under the direct control of the Pope, had their own legal system, and the Pope served as the secular ruler of these states, which allowed him to impose capital punishment. It is important to note that this practice ceased with the end of the Papal States in the 19th century.