POPE LEO GREETS 30,000 ‘MARCH FOR LIFE’ PARTICIPANTS IN SLOVAKIA | SG News
Around 30,000 people gathered in Bratislava on September 20 for Slovakia’s fifth National March for Life, bringing families, young people and pro-life advocates into the capital’s Freedom Square. The gathering took place under the patronage of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference and focused on the dignity of every human life, support for women and families in difficult circumstances, and opposition to surrogacy. Pope Leo XIV sent a special message to participants. His words were read by Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio to Slovakia. The Pope expressed his hope that the march would become a moment of prayer and public witness, awakening a renewed awareness that human life is a precious gift received from God. He called on society to welcome and protect life at every stage: From conception to natural death. Pope Leo also urged Catholics and society as a whole to build a culture capable of caring especially for those who are weakest and most vulnerable. The Holy Father assured organizers and participants of his prayers and imparted his apostolic blessing. The protection of unborn children was one of the march’s central themes. But Slovak Church leaders also emphasized practical assistance for mothers and families facing difficult circumstances. Father Ivan Ružička, secretary-general of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference, said the Church does not want to condemn women experiencing hardship, but to accompany and support them. Another major focus this year was surrogacy. March organizers are calling for Slovakia’s existing constitutional prohibition on the practice to be translated into concrete legislation completely banning agreements in which a woman carries a child for another person. Their message is that a child cannot be treated as the object of a contract or commercial arrangement. Among the speakers was French campaigner Olivia Maurel, who was herself born through surrogacy and has become one of the most prominent international advocates for its abolition. Maurel has stressed that her opposition to surrogacy is not a rejection of her own life, but is rooted in what she considers the inherent dignity and rights of every child. The day also began with Catholic liturgies across Bratislava. At St. Martin’s Cathedral, Archbishop Stanislav Zvolenský celebrated Mass for the renewal of a culture of life before the main gathering began at Freedom Square. The Slovak march followed similar demonstrations in Germany one day earlier. On September 19, Marches for Life in Berlin and Cologne drew more than 6,000 participants combined — around 4,200 in Berlin and 2,100 in Cologne, according to organizers. Across these gatherings, the central message remained the same: Human dignity does not depend upon age, health, independence or circumstances. For Pope Leo XIV, a true culture of life must go beyond slogans. It must protect the unborn. Support mothers. Care for the vulnerable. And build a society in which every human life is received as a gift.
Stay Updated with @SGNEWS-SG – Faith, Society & Global Christian Perspective
Jeej
and wether thanks almighty God was beautiful
Every human life should be received as a gift from God Father
20. septembra sa v Bratislave 30 000 ľudí zúčastnilo piateho Národného pochodu za život na Slovensku. Pochod, ktorý sa konal pod záštitou Slovenskej biskupskej konferencie, vyzýval k posilneniu ochrany nenarodených detí. Leo XIV. zaslal účastníkom posolstvo, v ktorom vyzval k vytvoreniu kultúry, ktorá sa stará najmä o tých najzraniteľnejších a prispieva k budovaniu bratskejšej spoločnosti.
30 000 pessoas participaram na quinta Marcha Nacional pela Vida da Eslováquia, realizada em Bratislava a 20 de setembro. Organizada sob o patrocínio da Conferência Episcopal Eslovaca, a marcha apelou a uma maior proteção das crianças por nascer. Leão XIV enviou uma mensagem aos participantes, apelando a uma cultura que se preocupe especialmente com os mais vulneráveis e contribua para a construção de uma sociedade mais fraterna.
20 września w Bratysławie 30 000 osób wzięło udział w piątej edycji Słowackiego Narodowego Marszu dla Życia. Marsz, zorganizowany pod patronatem Słowackiej Konferencji Biskupów, miał na celu wezwanie do zapewnienia lepszej ochrony dzieci nienarodzonych. Leo XIV skierował do uczestników przesłanie, w którym wezwał do budowania kultury, która w szczególny sposób troszczy się o najbardziej bezbronnych i przyczynia się do tworzenia bardziej braterskiego społeczeństwa.
Il 20 settembre, 30.000 persone hanno partecipato alla quinta Marcia Nazionale per la Vita della Slovacchia, tenutasi a Bratislava. Organizzata con il patrocinio della Conferenza Episcopale Slovacca, la marcia ha invocato una maggiore tutela dei bambini non ancora nati. Leo XIV ha inviato un messaggio ai partecipanti, invocando una cultura che si prenda cura in modo particolare dei più vulnerabili e contribuisca alla costruzione di una società più fraterna.
Szeptember 20-án 30 000 ember vett részt Szlovákia ötödik Országos Élet Menetén Pozsonyban. A Szlovák Püspöki Konferencia védnöksége alatt megrendezett felvonulás a meg nem született gyermekek erőteljesebb védelmét szorgalmazta. XIV. Leo üzenetet küldött a résztvevőknek, amelyben olyan kultúra kialakítására szólított fel, amely különösen törődik a legkiszolgáltatottabbakkal, és hozzájárul egy testvériabb társadalom építéséhez.
El 20 de septiembre, 30 000 personas participaron en la quinta Marcha Nacional por la Vida de Eslovaquia, celebrada en Bratislava. La marcha, que contó con el patrocinio de la Conferencia Episcopal Eslovaca, reclamó una mayor protección para los niños por nacer. León XIV envió un mensaje a los participantes en el que abogaba por una cultura que se preocupe especialmente por los más vulnerables y que contribuya a construir una sociedad más fraternal.
Am 20. September nahmen 30.000 Menschen am fünften Nationalen Marsch für das Leben in der Slowakei in Bratislava teil. Der unter der Schirmherrschaft der Slowakischen Bischofskonferenz stattfindende Marsch forderte einen stärkeren Schutz für ungeborene Kinder. Leo XIV. sandte eine Botschaft an die Teilnehmer, in der er zu einer Kultur aufrief, die sich besonders um die Schwächsten kümmert und zum Aufbau einer brüderlicheren Gesellschaft beiträgt.
30 000 personnes ont participé à la cinquième Marche nationale pour la vie en Slovaquie, qui s’est déroulée à Bratislava le 20 septembre. Organisée sous le patronage de la Conférence épiscopale slovaque, cette marche appelait à une protection renforcée des enfants à naître. Leo XIV a adressé un message aux participants, appelant à une culture qui se soucie tout particulièrement des plus vulnérables et qui contribue à l'édification d'une société plus fraternelle.
30,000 people joined Slovakia’s fifth National March for Life in Bratislava on September 20. Held under the patronage of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference, the march called for stronger protection for unborn children. Leo XIV sent a message to participants, calling for a culture that cares especially for the most vulnerable and contributes to building a more fraternal society.