Pope Francis condemns Iran for using death penalty against demonstrators

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Monday condemned Iran for using the death penalty against demonstrators demanding greater respect for women.

The pope's remarks, made in his yearly speech to diplomats accredited to the Vatican, were his strongest since the start of nationwide protests in Iran following the death last September of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in police custody.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Hugh Lawson)