By Katie Vasquez and Currents News
Crowds gathered on the National Mall to be a voice for the voiceless — the unborn. Pro-lifers traveled to Washington, D.C., from all over the country, including the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“It’s really important because I go every year and I go with my group, and, you know, this really means a lot to me as a Catholic and as a pro-lifer,” said Connor Whelen, a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Tens of thousands of people were energized ahead of the march during a rally that included a message from the Holy Father — the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV — who encouraged participants, noting that he once walked in their footsteps while he was in college. The crowd also heard remarks from the president and vice president of the United States.
“We have made unprecedented strides to protect innocent life and support the institution of the family like never before. There’s never been anything like it,” said President Donald Trump.
Vice President J.D. Vance added, “We have to be clear. We cannot be neutral. Our country cannot be indifferent about whether its next generations live or die.”
Marissa D’Alessio understands the gift of life firsthand. The Brooklyn parishioner was born prematurely and, according to doctors, faced the possibility of having no brain function or dying.
“My mother and all the nurses lit candles for me and were praying for me. And I had a miraculous recovery that God miraculously healed me. And I came out perfectly normal,” said D’Alessio, a parishioner of St. Anselm Church.
Nurse and midwife Amelia Knowles said she wanted to advocate for life after witnessing the birth of countless babies over decades of work.
“If you look at the cardinal classic movements of a baby, [the baby] genuflects to the Lord as they are being delivered out of their mother’s womb. And that is a gift I get every single time,” said Knowles, a parishioner of St. Mark’s Church, who is a registered nurse and certified nurse midwife.
While Roe v. Wade has been overturned, many said the fight continues as assisted suicide and other legislation are pushed forward.
“There’s still a battle going on, and we can’t simply forget it because the Supreme Court overturned it,” said Deacon John. “It has to be fought now on a state level and even a city level many times, because lives are still being taken by abortion. And it’s part of this larger issue of how valuable is life.”
Bishop Robert Brennan echoed that message, urging perseverance.
“I don’t think we can get discouraged. I think the devil’s tool is discouragement,” Brennan said. “And so while it appears that, you know, for every battle you win, you lose a couple of others, there’s something else that’s happening. And maybe in some ways, our case becomes stronger, because we stand firm no matter what happens.”