OTTAWA — As hundreds of Canadian pro-lifers filled Parliament Hill for the 2025 National March for Life, it wasn’t long before murmurs of white smoke in Rome began circulating through the crowd.
Catholics in attendance soon turned their attention to wondering who the next Pontiff would be. Ottawa-Cornwall Archbishop Marcel Damphousse addressed the curiosity during his remarks to the crowd.
“We do have white smoke in Rome as of this morning,” he said, as cheers erupted. “While we do not yet know who the new Pope is, we can, of course, pray for him.”
As speakers such as Jeff Gunnarson, Alex Schadenberg, Debbie Duval, Emily Stimpson Chapman, and Matt Wojciechowski addressed the day’s theme, a sense of anticipation lingered.
As the keynote speeches wrapped up and the march through downtown Ottawa prepared to begin, Wojciechowski returned to the stage to share the news many were waiting for.
“For all the Catholics here, I can confirm there is a new Pope,” said Wojciechowski, vice-president of Campaign Life Coalition. “Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, Leo XIV.”
As the news broke during the rally, many attendees were quick to share their reactions, even amid surprise.
“I just pray that he is able to carry out his mission,” said Bruce Crishton of Brockville, Ont. “I can’t say I know too much about him, but from what I’ve heard, and in how short it took, I can assume the right choice has been made.”
Pope Leo XIV, the first North American elected to the papacy, was widely mentioned as a potential successor to Pope Francis.
“My mother and I were on the car ride here to the March for Life and were both really surprised by how quickly it happened,” said Marcos, a young attendee from Stouffville, Ont. “I was even more surprised to hear he’s a cardinal from Chicago.
“Pope Francis was very progressive in moving things forward, and I feel like electing a Pope from the U.S. fits with that new, modern Church. I’m interested to see what he brings.”
“We are here on the grounds of the National March for Life, and so Pope Leo XIV must support this mission of protecting the unborn. I hope he will, with passion,” said Stephanie Mendoza-King of Ottawa. “He will need to be able to respond to questions and doubts from the secular world that pushes against this, and I pray he is able to do that with wisdom, knowledge and compassion.”
Despite the papal news, the March for Life continued as it marked its 28th year advocating for the legal recognition of human life from fertilization. The march challenges Canada’s lack of legal protections for the unborn and calls for legislation to recognize life in the womb and restrict abortion.
This year’s theme drew from a 2021 survey of more than 5,000 biologists, which found that 96 per cent agreed life begins at fertilization. The theme also referenced Matthew 13:31–32: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, yet when full-grown, it is the largest of plants.”
Campaign Life Coalition, the event’s organizer and Canada’s leading pro-life and pro-family organization, has grown the March from 700 attendees in 1998 to a national movement drawing thousands to Parliament Hill each year. The rally is also a platform to oppose the expansion of euthanasia and medical assistance in dying (MAiD), legalized in Canada in 2016.
This year’s rally began at 12:30 p.m., with political, cultural, and spiritual leaders sharing testimonies and urging action to build a culture of life.
“I wish we didn’t have to be here every year, but life is not protected in this building beside us,” said Wojciechowski, pointing to Parliament. “That is why we march — this is the place where laws are created, policies are made, and where people are elected to serve. Everyone in that building has a duty to legally protect children in the womb.
“Shame on our Prime Minister for not doing anything about this. Shame on every political leader who calls this killing a choice. Shame on every MP who supports the killing of God’s precious children.”
Campaign Life president Jeff Gunnarson also addressed the country’s recent election.
“As Mark Carney throws his elbows up, we defend the innocent,” he said, as stunned silence turned to applause.
“While some are throwing elbows to climb the political ladder, we are standing for the child in the womb, who has no legal protection in Canada. Let’s march boldly, pray fervently, speak courageously and let our leaders know: elbows up won’t cut it when what Canada needs is hearts changed and protection for the unborn from conception.”
Speakers including Calvin Robinson and Schadenberg highlighted Canada’s unique legal status, where protection for human life begins only at birth, and where infanticide and MAiD remain permitted in some cases. They called on Canadians to challenge the country’s moral and legal trajectory.
At 1:30 p.m., participants began the march through downtown Ottawa, filling the streets with homemade signs and chants advocating for the unborn. The procession returned to Parliament Hill around 2:30 p.m.
Also featured was the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, with Michelle Lowe sharing a powerful testimony about her abortion experience, reinforcing the rally’s central message: human rights begin at conception.
This year’s rally launched a week of National March for Life events, including Masses, the Songs for Life Coffee House, a candlelight vigil, the Rose Dinner gala, Friday’s youth summit and the inaugural Save the Babies leaders summit.
Canadian Catholic News
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