The 52nd annual March for Life is taking place in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 24. Thousands of pro-lifers are coming together in our nation’s capitol to march in defense of the unborn.

Follow along here for live updates on the march. All times are in U.S. Eastern Standard Time:

The March for Life comes to an end with the closing Mass

January 24, 2025 at 05:12 pm

The 52nd annual March for Life comes to an end with the celebration of Mass at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virgina. The Mass is part of the events taking place at Life Fest, an upbeat, youth-oriented event including musical performances, inspirational speakers, Mass, and praise and worship adoration sponsored by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus.

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore and Archbishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia.

Pro-lifers begin to march at the March for Life

January 24, 2025 at 02:30 pm

Students from Wheaton College carry the March for Life banner and lead the crowd of thousands of pro-lifers down the march route.

The 52nd annual March for Life gets underway with the opening banner kicking off the even through the streets of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2025. Credit: Migi Fabara/EWTN News
The 52nd annual March for Life gets underway with the opening banner kicking off the even through the streets of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2025. Credit: Migi Fabara/EWTN News

Joy is felt among the attendees as they march for the defense of the unborn. From young to old, all the pro-life generations are being seen along the route.

There are also powerful testimonies being shared from marchers about why they are pro-life. For example, Brad Smith and his wife, Jessie, who were told to abort their daughter due to her disability.

Members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) — a Catholic nonprofit group — play instruments alongside the March for Life. The group plays Catholic hymns, such as “Ave Maria” and “Hail Holy Queen,” along with patriotic songs.

American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property play hymns at March for Life. Credit: Tyler Arnold/CNA
American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property play hymns at March for Life. Credit: Tyler Arnold/CNA

Seminarians from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, are spotted singing the “Ave Maria” while praying the rosary during the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24.

Vice President JD Vance takes the stage at the March for Life

January 24, 2025 at 01:32 pm

Vice President JD Vance takes the stage at the March for Life.

He tells the crowd that it is an “honor” to be standing on the stage with the pro-lifers gathered and that “we are proud to march with you and yes, we will be back next year.”

Vance goes on to talk about his own experience, along with his wife, in welcoming their own children into their lives. He shares that each time they “saw firsthand the indescribable beauty of life.”

“And watching all three of our kids grow, learn, and become who they are today has been the single greatest blessing of our lives,” he adds.

He then discusses the struggles many families or single parents face in being able to afford children or gain the resources they need to live stable lives.

“I want more babies in the United States of America. I want more happy children in our country. And I want beautiful young men and women who are eager to welcome them into the world and eager to raise them,” he tells the crowd. “And it is the task of our government to make it easier for young moms and dads to afford to have kids, to bring them into the world, and to welcome them as the blessings that we know they are here at the March for Life.”

The vice president highlights the importance of having a true culture of life and where the benchmark of our success comes from, “whether people feel like they can raise thriving and healthy families in our country.”

He then discusses the plans the Trump administration has to protect the unborn and help families thrive as well as protect those pro-life activists who were previously targeted for peacefully protesting or praying outside of abortion clinics.

“I want to make clear that this administration stands by you, we stand with you, and most importantly we stand with the most vulnerable and the basic principle that people exercising the right to protest on behalf of the most vulnerable should never have the government go after them ever again,” he says.

He concludes: “Go forth not with frustration but with joy. We are joyful to march for life. We are joyful to know that that picture on an ultrasound, that is a picture of a baby with hopes and dreams and potential to come. It is a joy and blessing to fight for the unborn, to work for the unborn, and to march for life.”

President Donald Trump sends a video message to March for Life attendees

January 24, 2025 at 01:21 pm

A video message from President Donald Trump is played at the March for Life.

“Thank you for turning out once again to show your extraordinary love and compassion for the unborn,” he says in his video message.

The president goes on to highlight the overturn of Roe v. Wade and shares what he hopes to accomplish for the pro-life movement during his term.

“In my second term we will again stand proudly for families and for life,” he says and add that “we will protect the historic gains we have made” in the movement.

“Thank you for never losing hope and never giving up. Thank you for your tremendous support. God bless you and God bless America,” the president concludes.

Bethany Hamilton takes the stage at the March for Life

January 24, 2025 at 01:14 pm

Former professional surfer Bethany Hamilton takes the stage as the keynote speaker at the March for Life. She begins by telling the crowd about her powerful testimony of losing an arm and how she was given hope to continue her surfing career despite the fact she now only had one arm.

Hamilton then shares her own experience of struggling when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. She was at the peak of her career and was scared, just like the many women who find themselves in unplanned pregnancies.

“Now being a mother of four they are my greatest joy,” she says. “Children are true wealth and they are truly the greatest blessing God has to offer us alongside of his grace.”

She reminds the crowd to serve as a source of hope for women who find themselves in unplanned pregnancies.

“We as a society need to combat the lies that are being fed to them each and every day,” she adds.

The 2025 March for Life begins

January 24, 2025 at 12:07 pm

The crowd counts down the start of the 52nd annual March for Life. March for Life President Jeanne Mancini welcomes those gathered and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, leads them in prayer.

Naumann prays that the pro-lifers in attendance go out in strength to build the culture of life and asks the Lord to bless them with “the fire of your Holy Spirit” so that they “never tire of the crusade for life whose origin is in you.”

After praying, Mancini introduces the new March for Life president, Jennie Bradley Lichter. Lichter — a Catholic mother of three, a lawyer, and a longtime advocate for the sanctity of life — has been active in the pro-life movement since her childhood.

Lichter talks to the crowd and shares her experience of the first time she attended the March for Life 24 years ago as a student at the University of Notre Dame.

She points out that while many think there is no need to march anymore due to the fact that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, “we are so not done, marchers.” 

“I will see you all back here next year and every year until every women and every baby is loved and protected,” she adds.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota greets the crowd, saying: “I am nothing short of inspired looking out at all of you today.”

He tells the crowd that it is important to continue to make their voices heard and adds: “I am confident that at the end of the day truth will win. Life will win.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson takes the stage following Thune and points out the work President Donald Trump has already done for the pro-life movement, including the pardoning of 23 pro-life activists.

He encourages the crowd to continue to do the work so that “all children will be allowed the incomparable gift of being born.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida takes the stage and talks about the work his state has done to protect life.

“Florida is not only the place where woke goes to die, it’s the place where babies go to live,” he says.

Lila Rose, president of the pro-life advocacy group Live Action, takes the stage and reminds the crowd that “abolishing abortion is the most important human rights cause of our time.”

Abortion survivor Josiah Presley takes the stage to share his powerful testimony of surviving a first-trimester abortion. He tells the crowd, "Today we are shining brightly and may we continue to shine every day for the glory of our creator."

President Donald Trump announces video to be played at March for Life

January 24, 2025 at 10:46 am

President Donald Trump tells “EWTN News Nightly” Correspondent Owen Jensen that a “big clip” will be shared during the March for Life, where Vice President JD Vance will also speak to the crowd.

Jensen asks the president how his administration will protect pro-life Americans moving forward. Trump says “We’re all for it” and points out the pardoning of 23 pro-life activists who were imprisoned by the Biden administration for violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and “Conspiracy Against Rights” statute while peacefully engaging in protests at abortion clinics.

Crowds begin to arrive at the March for Life

January 24, 2025 at 10:29 am

Crowds of pro-life are arriving at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the 52nd annual March for Life. Despite the chilly weather, people from across the United States are gearing up to march for the protection of life.

Parishes, youth groups, and students from universities are arriving to make their voices heard.

Young people gather in defense of the unborn at Life Fest

January 23, 2025 at 07:24 pm

Thousands of young adults gather at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, for Life Fest ahead of the March for Life. Life Fest is hosted by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus and is taking place on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24.

An upbeat, youth-oriented pre-march event, Life Fest includes musical performances, inspirational speakers, Mass, and praise and worship adoration.

Thursday evening includes praise and worship and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led by Archbishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia.

National Prayer Vigil for Life takes place ahead of the March for Life

January 23, 2025 at 05:55 pm

Thousands of pilgrims from across the nation gather at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., for the opening Mass in the National Prayer Vigil for Life.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, celebrates the Mass and tells those gathered: “When we march tomorrow, we march as pilgrims of hope.”

He encourages young people to be “pilgrims of hope intent on building a culture of life and a civilization of love.”

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The archbishop also speaks about the 23 pro-life activists who were pardoned by President Donald Trump on Jan. 23. These pro-life activists were imprisoned by the Biden administration for violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and “Conspiracy Against Rights” statute while peacefully engaging in protests at abortion clinics.

“I was encouraged to hear that the new president gave pardons to pro-life prisoners who were spending time in jail for their advocacy for life,” Naumann said.

After the celebration of Mass, a Eucharistic procession takes place around the basilica.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, takes part in a Eucharistic procession after the celebration of Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Jan. 23, 2025. Credit: Tyler Arnold/CNA
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, takes part in a Eucharistic procession after the celebration of Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Jan. 23, 2025. Credit: Tyler Arnold/CNA