The Holy Father assured the pro-life demonstration of his \u201cspiritual closeness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV addressed the 2026 March for Life on Jan. 22, sending participants \u201cwarm greetings\u201d and urging them to bring about a society that \u201csafeguards the sanctity of human life.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Holy Father\u2019s message was published ahead of the March for Life being held in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23. This is set to be the 53rd year the annual pro-life observance has drawn hundreds of thousands of people to the nation\u2019s capital. <\/p>\n
Stressing that the protection of the right to life \u201cconstitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right,\u201d Leo said that society \u201cis healthy and truly progresses only when it safeguards the sanctity of human life and works actively to promote it.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIn this regard,\u201d Leo continued, \u201cI would encourage you, especially the young people, to continue striving to ensure that life is respected in all of its stages through appropriate efforts at every level of society, including dialogue with civil and political leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope prayed that Jesus would \u201caccompany you … as you courageously and peacefully march on behalf of unborn children.\u201d Such advocacy, the pope said, is \u201cfulfilling the Lord\u2019s command to serve him in the least of our brothers and sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pope extended an apostolic blessing to the march, saying he entrusted the advocates \u201cto the intercession of Mary Immaculate,\u201d the patron saint of the U.S. <\/p>\n
The first pope from the United States of America, Pope Leo XIV \u2014 then Robert Prevost \u2014 was reportedly a marcher during at least one of the event\u2019s earliest years. <\/p>\n
Several other popes have addressed the U.S. March for Life in various forms such as via social media, though Leo\u2019s message appears to be the first official letter directly from a pope and bearing his signature. <\/p>\n
In 2023 Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Archbishop Christophe Pierre expressed Pope Francis\u2019 gratitude for \u201cthe 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.\u201d Pope Benedict XVI sent a similar letter in 2013.<\/p>\n
Francis also tweeted in support of the march, as did Benedict XVI.<\/p>\n
Stay up-to-date with LIVE updates from the March for Life with EWTN News here.<\/p>\n
This article was originally published by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n