Pope Francis, in his recent visit to the United States, continued to spread his message of redemption, focusing on the common good and restoration.

His focus was broad, but one phrase that he said is particularly relevant to recent legislative action in Connecticut. On Sept. 24, in his historic address before the U.S. Congress, the Pontiff said, “Punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation.”

That is meaningful for our state as we implement a new law to hold accountable children who have committed serious crimes. Until now, it has been legal to sentence children to life in prison with no possibility of parole. After three years of persistent work by advocates and the people most directly impacted by these sentences, our legislature has banned such sentences. They have gone further to make certain that all children sentenced as adults have the opportunity to demonstrate rehabilitation and seek parole. The new law went into effect on Oct. 1.

This change makes sense on a number of levels. We know from adolescent research that children possess less capacity than adults to control their responses, to think through the long-term consequences of their behaviors and to avoid pressure from peers and adults. In addition, we know that many of these children have experienced severe abuse, neglect and exposure to violence as children. While these realities do not excuse their actions, they make it clear that our children in many ways are also victims.

Thankfully, we know that children also possess a unique capacity for growth and rehabilitation. In fact, research also finds that most children grow out of illegal behaviors by the time they reach their late 20s, which is, coincidentally, when the brain fully develops.

The U.S. Supreme Court, drawing in part on this adolescent development research, has said that children are “constitutionally different” from adults and should not be subject to our country’s harshest penalties. In the last decade, the court has said that it is unconstitutional to impose upon children the death penalty, life-without-parole for non-homicide crimes, and automatic sentences of life without parole.

These changes in our sentencing laws represent the core American belief in second chances. They also are consistent with the tenets of Christian faith and Catholic social teaching. More than two years ago, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops passed a resolution calling for an end to these sentences for youthful offenders. Forgiveness, rehabilitation and restoration are at the core of our beliefs and those of most major religions. We know that every individual is worth more than the worst thing they have ever done and there is biblical evidence of this fact.

Moses, David and the Apostle Paul committed transgressions as murderers. Moses then served as a successful prophet and lawgiver, and is now remembered for his close relationship with God and for leading the people of Israel from slavery into freedom. David became the beloved second king of Israel and an ancestor of Jesus. The Apostle Paul went on to become one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age.

The impact of these crimes upon victims and their families is real. Society must hold children accountable in age-appropriate ways that consider the trauma they have experienced and their capacity for change. In reforming our laws, Connecticut joined the New England states of Massachusetts and Vermont in ensuring that all children who go to prison get a second chance. The state is part of a broader national movement away from extreme sentences for children. In the last three years, nine states have banned life-without-parole sentences for children.

As the Holy Father emphasized the importance of hope within punishment, we are proud that Connecticut joins the growing number of states that provide all children with a reason for hope.

Michael C. Culhane is the executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference.