Although he was not physically present, Pope Leo XIV’s presence was felt at this year’s March for Life. On Jan. 23, the annual National March for Life demonstration took place in Washington, D.C. and to commemorate the event during the first year of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV released a written statement on Jan. 17 addressed to the participants.
Pope Leo supported their efforts and hoped they would “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.” As a part of his message, Pope Leo imparted an Apostolic Blessing. An Apostolic Blessing is issued by the pope as a traditional method of commemorating occasions, and it is formally inscribed and sent from Rome.
Junior politics major Mercedes Skidd from Connecticut grew up attending the march. Skidd noticed the demographic diversity of participants.
“There was a good [number] of kids and small families,” Skidd said. “There was a surprising amount of elderly people there as well, over the 50 [years-old] age range. That’s so beautiful to see the amount of diversity, demographically, and all of the different aspects of it, and to see everyone taking part in advocating.”
Overall, many people from different walks of life attended the march in D.C. Among them was a prominent number of young people that went to advocate, demonstrating a trend of an increasing youth presence.
“Young people are not afraid to show that they’re pro-life,” said undeclared sophomore Justin Yang. “And you know, even if we are somewhat in the minority in terms of being young and being pro-life, at least, because there are so many young people going to the March for Life, it shows up.”
Skidd heard when the speakers at the march announced Pope Leo’s apostolic blessing and described the general reaction to the news.
“It was really exciting,” said Skidd. “I was one out of three Catholics in my group, so I was cheering the loudest, by far, of my group, and was standing behind somebody who was wearing a papal flag as a cape. So [there was] definitely [a] big Catholic representation out there.”
Sophomore chemistry major Madelyn Zadnik explained how the pope’s recognition of the participants’ efforts was a testament to the unifying nature of the march.
“Anyone you could possibly imagine, you could find someone at the March for Life […] and it’s really amazing how this cause has brought people together who wouldn’t normally be fighting for the same thing in all aspects,” said Zadnik.
Skidd explained how Pope Leo XIV’s message felt like a personal celebration of the participants’ efforts.
“It felt like he was right there alongside us, and it felt like we were being heard and recognized for our hard work,” Skidd said.
Yang described how Pope Leo XIV’s message displayed the Catholic Church’s vitality.
“To tie it all in, we have an American pope, and therefore he’s very well acquainted with the March for Life movement [and] the pro-life movement in America,” Yang said. “He knows [that] abortion is a hot topic in America, and then to tie that into it, to us who are at the March for Life, young Catholics: I think it’s a sign that the Church is strong. It’s young, it’s active, it’s vibrant, and it’s definitely growing. And I think that that’s a real sign for hope.”