Pope Leo XIV delivered a personal letter of "heartfelt appreciation" and imparted his Apostolic blessing onto all participants of the March for Life taking place on January 23.
In his letter, the Roman pontiff quotes his most recent meeting with his diplomatic corps on the right and sanctity of life:
POPE LEO XIV
The protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right. A society is healthy and truly progresses only when it safeguards the sanctity of human life and works actively to promote it.
Pope Leo then went on to encourage the supporters, particularly young people, to “continue striving to ensure that life is respected in all of its stages” before ending the letter by entrusting the March to the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the US.
The March for Life has been held in Washington, D.C. every year since 1974, a year after abortion was legalized throughout the United States through the decision of Roe v. Wade.
In 2022, the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned by the US Supreme Court with the decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case. However, this ruling did not make abortion illegal, but instead, returned the regulation of abortion to the State-level jurisdiction.
Throughout the years, many popes have shown their support for the march in various ways. Pope Benedict XVI tweeted his support to the March for Life in 2013, "joining all those marching for life from afar" in spirit and prayer.
In 2023, Pope Francis conveyed a message of support and blessing on the March through Bishop Burbidge of Arlington, praying that God grant the movement strength "to persevere in their efforts aimed at protecting human life in all its stages."
CRT
