Pope Benedict XVI sends message to youth gathered for pro-life Masses in Washington

January 25, 2013

Each year, the Archdiocese of Washington hosts a Youth Rally and Mass for Life. More than 30,000 youth from around the country who are in Washington to be witnesses to life gather at the Verizon Center, Comcast Center and several parishes in the city on the anniversary of legalized abortion in the United States.

Immediately before this year’s Mass, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, read a message sent on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI to Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington:(audio)

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI sends warm greetings and the assurance of his closeness in prayer to the thousands of young people from throughout America gathered for the annual March for Life, which this year marks the fortieth anniversary of the legalization of procured abortion in the United States.

His Holiness is grateful to all those who take part in this outstanding public witness to the fundamental human right to life, and to the many others who support them by fasting and prayer.

He thanks the young people for their commitment to defending the inviolable dignity of each member of our human family, especially the smallest and most defenseless of our brothers and sisters. He likewise encourages them in their efforts to ensure adequate legal protection for the life of the unborn, confident that their perseverance will contribute to the awakening of consciences and the building of a more just, compassionate and inclusive society.

With these sentiments, the Holy Father commends all those gathered for the March for Life to the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, strength and peace in the Lord.

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