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Tens of thousands gather for Slovakia's National March for Life
An estimated 30,000 people peacefully gathered in Bratislava, Slovakia, on September 20, 2026, for the country's fifth National March for Life, bearing witness to the value and dignity of all human life.
30,000 people gathered for the fifth National March for Life in Bratislava on September 20.
Participants called for an end to abortion and surrogacy.
Attendees also received a special message from Pope Leo XIV, read by the Apostolic Nuncio, Nicola Girasoli.
Participants gathered at Bratislava's Freedom Square to call for the protection of the preborn.
"Thousands of families, young people, pro-life organizations, churches, and supporters from across Slovakia came together to publicly stand for the protection of every human life from conception to natural death," Dmitrij Olšovský, spokesperson for the National March for Life, told Live Action News.
In a press release, he emphasized that the pro-life movement hopes to eliminate abortion while also helping and caring for mothers in need:
“Our long-term goal is the protection of every human life from conception to natural death. In our context, this primarily means the repeal of the unjust abortion law, which denies unborn children the right to life. At the same time, we want to be a society that does not leave a mother in need alone, but offers her real help and support.”
Organizers also placed an emphasis on ending surrogacy, as they are issuing a petition that calls on the National Council of the Slovak Republic to enact a complete ban on surrogacy in the criminal code.
“Surrogacy turns a child into a commodity and a woman’s body into a tool to fulfill someone else’s wish. However, a child is not a product, and a woman should not be a means to obtain one. We are convinced that surrogacy is contrary to the dignity of both the woman and the child,” said Milena Olšovská, another spokesperson for the National March for Life.
That sentiment was echoed by Fr. Ivan Ružička, Secretary General of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference.
“We believe that a child can never become an object of a contract, and a woman’s body should not become a means to fulfil someone else’s wishes,” Fr. Ružička said. “That is why we are calling for a complete legal ban on surrogacy in Slovakia.”
Participants also received a special message from Pope Leo XIV, who sent a greeting read by the Apostolic Nuncio, Nicola Girasoli, calling the march an "opportunity for prayer and witness" to the "precious gift of life." The statement continued:
"A gift of life that must be welcomed and protected at every stage—from conception to natural death. The Holy Father simultaneously encourages the promotion of a culture capable of caring especially for the most vulnerable and defenseless, thereby contributing to the building of a more fraternal and supportive society."
Patrik Daniška, main coordinator of the National March for Life, remarked that the march was an opportunity for those within the nation to advocate for the dignity of all human life.
“There are moments we can be proud of as a nation, when we acted justly and stood on the right side of history. National Marches for Life are among these moments," he said. "Through them, we show that we care about justice, truth, and genuine love that is not selfish; about respect for life and the human dignity of every single person."
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
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·International·By Bridget Sielicki
Tens of thousands gather for Slovakia's National March for Life
An estimated 30,000 people peacefully gathered in Bratislava, Slovakia, on September 20, 2026, for the country's fifth National March for Life, bearing witness to the value and dignity of all human life.
30,000 people gathered for the fifth National March for Life in Bratislava on September 20.
Participants called for an end to abortion and surrogacy.
Attendees also received a special message from Pope Leo XIV, read by the Apostolic Nuncio, Nicola Girasoli.
Participants gathered at Bratislava's Freedom Square to call for the protection of the preborn.
"Thousands of families, young people, pro-life organizations, churches, and supporters from across Slovakia came together to publicly stand for the protection of every human life from conception to natural death," Dmitrij Olšovský, spokesperson for the National March for Life, told Live Action News.
In a press release, he emphasized that the pro-life movement hopes to eliminate abortion while also helping and caring for mothers in need:
“Our long-term goal is the protection of every human life from conception to natural death. In our context, this primarily means the repeal of the unjust abortion law, which denies unborn children the right to life. At the same time, we want to be a society that does not leave a mother in need alone, but offers her real help and support.”
Organizers also placed an emphasis on ending surrogacy, as they are issuing a petition that calls on the National Council of the Slovak Republic to enact a complete ban on surrogacy in the criminal code.
“Surrogacy turns a child into a commodity and a woman’s body into a tool to fulfill someone else’s wish. However, a child is not a product, and a woman should not be a means to obtain one. We are convinced that surrogacy is contrary to the dignity of both the woman and the child,” said Milena Olšovská, another spokesperson for the National March for Life.
That sentiment was echoed by Fr. Ivan Ružička, Secretary General of the Slovak Bishops’ Conference.
“We believe that a child can never become an object of a contract, and a woman’s body should not become a means to fulfil someone else’s wishes,” Fr. Ružička said. “That is why we are calling for a complete legal ban on surrogacy in Slovakia.”
Participants also received a special message from Pope Leo XIV, who sent a greeting read by the Apostolic Nuncio, Nicola Girasoli, calling the march an "opportunity for prayer and witness" to the "precious gift of life." The statement continued:
"A gift of life that must be welcomed and protected at every stage—from conception to natural death. The Holy Father simultaneously encourages the promotion of a culture capable of caring especially for the most vulnerable and defenseless, thereby contributing to the building of a more fraternal and supportive society."
Patrik Daniška, main coordinator of the National March for Life, remarked that the march was an opportunity for those within the nation to advocate for the dignity of all human life.
“There are moments we can be proud of as a nation, when we acted justly and stood on the right side of history. National Marches for Life are among these moments," he said. "Through them, we show that we care about justice, truth, and genuine love that is not selfish; about respect for life and the human dignity of every single person."
Live Action News is pro-life news and commentary from a pro-life perspective.
Our work is possible because of our donors. Please consider giving to further our work of changing hearts and minds on issues of life and human dignity.
Contact editor@liveaction.org for questions, corrections, or if you are seeking permission to reprint any Live Action News content.
Guest Articles: To submit a guest article to Live Action News, email editor@liveaction.org with an attached Word document of 800-1000 words. Please also attach any photos relevant to your submission if applicable. If your submission is accepted for publication, you will be notified within three weeks. Guest articles are not compensated (see our Open License Agreement). Thank you for your interest in Live Action News!
Cassy Cooke
·Guest Column
Right to Life UK
·International
Cassy Cooke
·International
Nancy Flanders
·International
Cassy Cooke
·Issues
Bridget Sielicki
·Human Interest
Bridget Sielicki
·Issues
Bridget Sielicki
·Issues
Bridget Sielicki
·Politics
Bridget Sielicki
·Issues
Bridget Sielicki
·