The Catholic Church is a major part of the anti-abortion movement. Pope tweets March for Life support

Pope Francis sent his warm wishes to the mass of marchers expected to brave the snowy, cold conditions Wednesday in Washington, to mark the 41st March for Life.

Following the example set last year by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis took to Twitter to note he was keeping the anti-abortion marchers in his prayers.


I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 22, 2014

The annual event marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, and hundreds of thousands of people flock to Washington from all over the country to participate in the rally on the National Mall and march to the Supreme Court, in addition to other events.

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The Catholic Church has played a major part in the anti-abortion movement, with local diocese supporting the annual march in ways ranging from organizing events to finding places for visiting marchers to sleep.

The pope stoked controversy earlier this year, his first in the Vatican, when he made comments that the church was too narrowly focused on social issues including abortion, gay marriage and contraception. However, since then, the pope has spoken out strongly against abortion in ways consistent with long-held positions of the church.

As many lawmakers and citizens take to the streets of D.C. to march, Pope Francis was not the only one to engage on Twitter. The hashtag #WhyWeMarch was popular on Twitter this week, and several members of Congress on Wednesday were tweeting invitations to their offices after the event for warm beverages and snacks.