Pope thanks pro-life org for promoting a culture of life and helping women pressured into abortions

Image credit: Devon Divine via Unsplash / iam_os via Unsplash

As an Italian pro-life organisation celebrates its 50th anniversary, Pope Francis sent a message of support and thanks to the organisation in how it has promoted a culture of life with love, particularly noting the importance of helping women who feel pressured into an abortion.

Italian Movement for Life is a pro-life organisation, founded in 1975, and has established several centres that seek to provide support to women enduring a crisis pregnancy or those who are feeling pressured into having an abortion. This past Saturday, 8th March, thousands pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Basilica for a mass to celebrate the organisation's 50th anniversary.  

From his hospital bed, whilst recovering from bilateral pneumonia, Pope Francis sent a message of thanks and support for the movement's work in how it has promoted a culture of life “with frankness, love, and tenacity, closely uniting truth with charity toward all.”

In the statement, which was read by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on the Pope’s behalf at the mass this past Saturday, Pope Francis pointed out that we must “continue to place your trust in women, in their capacity for welcome, generosity, and courage.”

“Women must be able to count on the support of the entire civil and ecclesial community,” he said.  

He added that The Church must continue to promote the dignity of the human person, which contrasts with the attitude of society today.

“The unborn child represents, in the fullest sense, every man and woman who does not count, who has no voice,” he said. “Taking their side means standing in solidarity with all the discarded of the world.”

The Pope called on Christians to foster a “civilization of love,” which will free women “from the pressures that push them not to give birth to their child”, and said that it takes “gaze of the heart” for the unborn child to be recognised as “one of us.”

He further urged the pro-life movement to “advance the social protection of motherhood and the acceptance of human life in all its stages.”

“In this half-century, while some ideological prejudices have diminished and young people’s sensitivity toward caring for creation has grown,” he said, “the throwaway culture has unfortunately spread.”

“[Life] is sacred, created by God for a great and beautiful destiny,” he continued. “A just society is not built by eliminating unwanted unborn children, elderly people who are no longer self-sufficient, or terminally ill patients.”

Pope Francis concluded his message with a prayer that the Blessed Virgin Mary watch over those in pro-life work as well as a request to pray for himself and for his health.

Sandra Parda of the Life Institute commented, saying: “Thank you Italian Movement for Life for the amazing work that you do in helping mothers and their babies, and thank you Pope Francis for bringing to light the importance of this life-saving work.”

“Many women can feel coerced into an abortion and may choose life if given the support and help that they need throughout their pregnancy and beyond. It is so important that women are aware of the support available to them so that they never feel like they have to have an abortion they do not want.”

Gianna Care and Stanton Healthcare are both organisations available in Ireland and Northern Ireland respectively that provide a range of non-judgemental support for women experiencing a crisis pregnancy.

Every Life Counts is another organisation based in Ireland that provides support to families whose babies have been diagnosed with life-limiting conditions.