PHOTOS: Thousands march in Italy’s national ‘Demonstration for Life’

 

Members of an Italian pro-life and pro-family organization marched in the “Demonstration for Life” May 20, 2023, with a banner saying “There’s life in the mother’s womb. Let’s care for it. #stopabortion” / Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Rome Newsroom, May 20, 2023 / 12:48 pm (CNA).

Thousands of individuals, families, and young people braved the cool, rainy weather to march in Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life” in Rome on Saturday afternoon.

The walk May 20 started at Rome’s Piazza della Repubblica, close to the central Termini train station, and slowly wound its way past the Basilica of St. Mary Major, down the thoroughfare of Merulana Street, to the square in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. The route was about 1.2 miles.

Formerly called the “March for Life,” the name was changed last year when new leadership took over the event.

The president of the organizing group, Massimo Gandolfini, told EWTN News earlier this month that the demonstration is not associated with a specific political party.

“We do politics with a capital ‘P’,” the neurosurgeon and adoptive father of seven said. “That is, defense of life, defense of the natural family, defense of the educational freedom of parents. This is our politics…”

He said the goals of the organization include establishing a national day for unborn life and a government fund to help pregnant women in difficulty. They also hope to cultivate more recognition of the beauty of motherhood in the culture.

Gandolfini added that the organizers are opposed to the legalization in Italy of euthanasia, assisted suicide, and surrogacy.

“We are strongly opposed to all of these because first of all there is the right of the child,” he said.

The event concluded with speakers and a rally outside the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Members of an Italian pro-life and pro-family organization marched in the "Demonstration for Life" May 20, 2023, with a banner saying "There's life in the mother's womb. Let's care for it. #stopabortion". Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Members of an Italian pro-life and pro-family organization marched in the “Demonstration for Life” May 20, 2023, with a banner saying “There’s life in the mother’s womb. Let’s care for it. #stopabortion”. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Participants braved the rain to march in Italy's national "Demonstration for Life" in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Participants braved the rain to march in Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life” in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Young women hold signs saying "every child deserves a birthday" and "the unborn baby is one of us" at Italy's national "Demonstration for Life" in Rome May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Young women hold signs saying “every child deserves a birthday” and “the unborn baby is one of us” at Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life” in Rome May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

A crowd of people participated in Italy's national "Demonstration for Life" in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
A crowd of people participated in Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life” in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Marchers in Italy's national "Demonstration for Life" in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Marchers in Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life” in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

EWTN News interviews two young men at Italy's national "Demonstration for Life" in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
EWTN News interviews two young men at Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life” in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Young religious sisters attended Italy's national "Demonstration for Life" in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Young religious sisters attended Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life” in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

"We choose life" was the motto of Italy's national "Demonstration for Life," held in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
“We choose life” was the motto of Italy’s national “Demonstration for Life,” held in central Rome on May 20, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

If you value the news and views Catholic World Report provides, please consider donating to support our efforts. Your contribution will help us continue to make CWR available to all readers worldwide for free, without a subscription. Thank you for your generosity!

Click here for more information on donating to CWR. Click here to sign up for our newsletter.


About Catholic News Agency 11873 Articles
Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)

3 Comments

  1. The most dangerous place in the world for a child today is within her own mother’s womb.

    Godspeed to these people who are taking to the streets in Italy.

    Considering the billion-plus children around the world whose deaths we have advocated for, sponsored and/or financed, it’s hard to fault the Iranian ayatollahs’ characterization of America as “the great Satan.”

    You Catholics who vote for Democrats, look to your souls.

1 Trackback / Pingback

  1. PHOTOS: Thousands march in Italy’s national ‘Demonstration for Life’ – Via Nova

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

All comments posted at Catholic World Report are moderated. While vigorous debate is welcome and encouraged, please note that in the interest of maintaining a civilized and helpful level of discussion, comments containing obscene language or personal attacks—or those that are deemed by the editors to be needlessly combative or inflammatory—will not be published. Thank you.


*