Saturday, July 26, 2025

Popular News

HomeNewsVaticanPope Francis blesses participants in March for Life

Pope Francis blesses participants in March for Life

In a message read at the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Thursday, Pope Francis prays that God “will strengthen the commitment of all… to persevere in their efforts aimed at protecting human life in all its stages.”

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis has sent his blessing “as a pledge of strength and joy in the Lord,” to everyone taking part in the March for Life in the United States, “and to all those who support them by their prayers and sacrifices.”

The March for Life is one of the largest demonstrations each year in the nation’s Capital. Originally organized in response to the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion throughout the country in 1973, the March has evolved to promote “the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion – uniting, educating, and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square.”

Gratitude for “faithful witness”

In his message, Cardinal Parolin said Pope Francis is “deeply grateful for the faithful witness shown publicly over the years by all who promote and defend the right to life of the most innocent and vulnerable members of our human family.”

Noting that “the building of a truly just society rests upon respect for the sacred dignity of every person and the welcome given to each one as a brother or sister,” Cardinal Parolin went on to say that Pope Francis “trusts that Almighty God will strengthen the commitment of all, especially the young, to persevere in their efforts aimed at protecting human life in all its stages, especially through adequate legal measures enacted at every level of society.”

Next steps

The theme of this year’s March for Life is “Next Steps: Marching into a Post-Roe America.” The Roe v. Wade decision was overturned in June 2022 by the United States Supreme Court in a ruling that determined there was no right to abortion in the US Constitution. The new decision does not make abortion illegal, but instead returns jurisdiction to regulate abortion to the individual US states.

The 2023 March for Life brings together pro-life advocates to look at the work that remains in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision.

That was a theme echoed by Bishop Burbidge, who, in an interview with Vatican Radio, said, “We understand that our work is only just beginning.” Emphasizing that the protection of all human life means not only changing laws, “but transforming hearts and minds,” Bishop Burbidge insisted that “every person, every follower of Christ, every member of the faithful has been given a mandate: it’s called the Gospel of Life.”

That mandate, he said, “means that we celebrate life. We cherish it. We treasure it.”

Popular News

Pope encourages Pax Christi to continue to promote nonviolence

In a message to participants in Pax Christi USA’s annual National Assembly, Pope Leo...

Pope Leo XIV: Friendship with Christ is the key to Christian happiness

Cultivating friendship with Christ and experiencing the Master's closeness and love is vital to...

Pope Leo XIV receives the President of the Republic of Algeria

Pope Leo XIV meets President of the Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmagjid Tebboun, in...

Pope Leo thanks residents at Home for the Elderly for their witness of faith

Pope Leo XIV visits residents and religious sisters at the “Santa Marta” home for...