Pope Leo XIV has sent a message of encouragement to participants in the 2026 March for Life in Washington, D.C., affirming that the protection of human life is essential to the moral health of society, according to Vatican News.
In his message, the Holy Father assured marchers of his spiritual closeness and thanked them for their public witness on behalf of the unborn. He emphasized that the defense of life is not a secondary concern, stating that “the protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right,” according to Vatican News.
The Pope connected this message to remarks he recently delivered to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, outlining his vision of authentic social progress. A society that can rightly be called healthy and truly progressive, he said, is one that “safeguards the sanctity of human life and works actively to promote it,” Vatican News reported.
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Pope Leo XIV offered particular encouragement to young people, urging them to remain engaged in efforts to ensure that life is respected and protected at every stage. He called for sustained action throughout society, including respectful dialogue with civil and political leaders, according to Vatican News.
Reflecting on the peaceful nature of the annual march, the Pope prayed that Jesus would accompany those who gather to advocate for the unborn. He reminded participants that defending the most vulnerable is a concrete way of living out the Gospel, telling them that “by advocating for them, please know that you are fulfilling the Lord’s command to serve him in the least of our brothers and sisters,” as reported by Vatican News.
In closing, the Holy Father entrusted all March for Life participants, as well as those who support them through prayer and sacrifice, to the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States of America, according to Vatican News.
The March for Life began in 1974 following the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide. While the movement’s early focus centered on legal reform, its mission has expanded over time to include cultural renewal, with organizers seeking to foster a society that fully recognizes the dignity of every human life, Vatican News noted.
Pope Leo XIV’s message underscores the Church’s continued call for Catholics to defend life not only through laws, but through prayer, witness, and a commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of society.
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