Skip to content

Fifty Years of Italy’s Pro-Life Movement

Every year, abortion statistics reveal that the lives of many children are already threatened in the womb. Yet the unborn always have had a powerful ally in the Catholic Church.

Every year, abortion statistics reveal that the lives of many children are already threatened in the womb. Yet the unborn always have had a powerful ally in the Catholic Church. 

On March 8th, the Vatican celebrated the 50th anniversary of the “Movimento per la Vita,” the Movement for Life in Rome. During the Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, read a message from the Holy Father, who was unable to attend the Mass himself due to his hospitalization: 

“The unborn child represents, par excellence, every man and woman who does not count, who has no voice. To place oneself on his or her side means standing in solidarity with all the world’s discarded. And the gaze of the heart that recognizes him or her as one of us is the lever that moves this project.” 

In his message, the Pontiff thanked the pro-life pilgrims on their organization’s 50th anniversary, praising their concrete support for mothers experiencing difficult pregnancies: 

“Continue to be committed to women, on their capacity for acceptance, generosity and courage. Women must be able to count on the support of the entire civil and ecclesial community, and the Centres for Help for Life can become a point of reference for all. Thank you for the pages of hope and tenderness you help to write in the history book, and which remain indelible; they bear, and will bear, much fruit.” 

Adapted by Jacob Stein 

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis: What is spiritual consolation? The saints explain

Pope Francis used the example of several Catholic saints to explain the concept of spiritual consolation during his

Evening pilgrims bid farewell to Pope Francis ahead of Saturday funeral

Among the more than 250,000 people who made their way to the Vatican this week were the nocturnal pilgrims wanting to catch a final glimpse of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica before his Saturday funeral.  
Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. Detail. Credit: EWTN Vatican

Honoring Our Lady of the Rosary

May is traditionally known as “Mary’s month,” a time when Catholics around the world turn their attention in
Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Cardinal Mario Grech in 2022 | Vatican Media (L) and Daniel Ibanez/CNA (R)

Cardinal Grech: Benedict XVI was misunderstood throughout his life

“Incomprehension was a constant factor in the life and mission of this man,” Cardinal Mario Grech said. Pope

Exploring the Holy Relics of the Passion of Christ in Rome’s Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem

Welcome to our latest video tour of the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem! In this video,

Traditional Rite to Demolish Wall Protecting Holy Door Held at St. Peter’s Basilica

For the Jubilee, on the evening Dec. 2, the rite of “recognitio” (Latin for “verification”) took place in St. Peter’s Basilica.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com