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Pope Leo XIV begins his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Jan. 21, 2026. On the eve of the 2026 March for Life in Washington Jan. 22, Pope Leo issued a message to participants, expressing his deep gratitude for their "eloquent public witness" and imparting his apostolic blessing. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo sends ‘warm greetings,’ apostolic blessing to March for Life participants


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Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, Vatican, World News

VATICAN CITY (OSV News) — On the eve of the 2026 March for Life in Washington Jan. 23, Pope Leo XIV issued a message to participants, expressing his deep gratitude for their “eloquent public witness” and imparting his apostolic blessing.

“I send warm greetings to those of you participating in the 2026 March for Life,” said the pope in a message released by the Holy See Jan. 22, observed by Catholics in the U.S. as the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.

Quoting his Jan. 9 address to Holy See-accredited diplomats, the pope assured the marchers “of my spiritual closeness as you gather for this eloquent public witness to affirm that ‘the protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right.'”

Referring to Christ’s promise in Matthew 28:20, Pope Leo said, “May Jesus, who promised to be with us always … accompany you today as you courageously and peacefully march on behalf of unborn children.

“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,” said the pope, highlighting Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:31-46.

“With these sentiments I entrust all of you, as well as those who support you with their prayers and sacrifices, to the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States of America, and I gladly impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of abundant heavenly graces,” said Pope Leo.

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