You are not signed in as a Premium user; we rely on Premium users to support our news reporting. Sign in or Sign up today!

PARIS (ChurchMilitant.com) - An estimated 50,000 French people took to the streets in Paris Saturday for the annual March for Life.

The demonstration was held to roll back longstanding abortion policies that lead to the deaths of more than 200,000 unborn French babies annually.

Pope Francis reached out to those participating in the march, saying, "The Church must never tire of being an advocate for life and must not neglect to proclaim that human life is to be protected unconditionally from the moment of conception until natural death."



The abortion debate is currently front and center in French politics. The French Senate is currently considering a bill that would penalize pro-life websites that use abortion statistics and studies to dissuade women from murdering their unborn children. The head of the conference of French bishops has expressed concern and is urging the president not to sign the bill into law.

France is also in a power struggle over France's next president. François Fillon, who claims to be a devout Catholic, is currently in the lead among conservatives. In spite of his strong support from Catholic strongholds throughout the country, Fillon has puzzled conservatives over his statement claiming he'd never overturn abortion laws.

"Haven't I over 30 years voted for every law that has given women access to abortion?" he once asked. "I won't touch anything in this domain."

Politician Philippe de Villiers blasted Fillon, who was not present at the march. Not naming Fillon directly, de Villiers gave a speech at the rally saying, "Some politicians plunge into the holy water font and say at the time that abortion is unacceptable. And at the exit, they plunge their hand into the urn and say that it is acceptable." De Villiers said this attitude is hypocritical.



France has become increasingly pro-abortion over the years. Late last year, French television officials refused to broadcast an award-winning video from World Down Syndrome Day, because they said it would "disturb" women who aborted babies with Down syndrome. According to the March For Life website, 98 percent of Down Syndrome embryos are removed.

Statistics show about one third of French women have an abortion at least once in their lives.

With marchers waving signs that read: "Protecting the weak is truly strong," other pro-life leaders spoke out at the event, calling for future leaders to craft "public health policy that fights against abortion."

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.