March for Life in Poland: Faith and Fidelity
By Krzysztof Zuba
Member of the Executive Committee of the One of Us Federation and State Secretary of the Knights of Columbus in Poland
On Sunday, April 19, the National March for Life took place in Warsaw under the motto “Faith and Fidelity 966–2026”. Tens of thousands of participants—including families with children, pro-life organizations from across Poland, and international guests—marched to affirm that protecting human life from conception to natural death remains central to Polish identity.
The President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, joined the march in person. Castle Square was filled to capacity as the procession began. According to spokesperson Lidia Sankowska-Grabczuk, this was the largest pro-life event in Poland and one of the largest in Europe.
The vibrant march, led by reenactors dressed as hussars, moved through central Warsaw before returning to Castle Square. Participants carried banners, flags featuring notable Poles, and an icon of Our Lady “From Ocean to Ocean,” brought by the Knights of Columbus. Chants such as “Poland’s strength is the family” and “Long live Poland!” echoed through the streets.
The Chancellery of the President emphasized that the presence of thousands in the heart of Warsaw demonstrated the nation’s commitment to life and family. President Nawrocki joined the march near the Presidential Palace, calling the event a “beautiful initiative that shows how evil can be overcome with good” and pointing to the demographic crisis as one of the country’s most serious challenges.
The march followed two Masses celebrated in the capital. One was held at the Archcathedral Basilica by Bishop Piotr Jarecki, who reminded the faithful that life is both a gift from God and a task for humanity. Another Mass took place at the Warsaw-Praga Cathedral with Bishop Tomasz Sztajerwald. Afterward, many participants made a “spiritual adoption” pledge, committing to nine months of prayer for a child at risk of abortion.
Presidential chaplain Fr. Jarosław Wąsowicz highlighted the historical significance of the event, marking the 1060th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland (966), the 370th anniversary of King Jan Kazimierz’s Lviv Vows, and the 70th anniversary of the Jasna Góra Vows—described by St. John Paul II as “Poland’s human rights charter”.
International guests from Malta and France attended at the invitation of the Polish Federation of Pro-Life Movements. Professor Tonio Borg, president of the European Federation ONE OF US, noted that Malta—where abortion is prohibited except to save the mother’s life—proves that defending life is possible even under political pressure. Dr. Ségolène du Closel warned against ideological influence within European institutions and called for increased support for mothers.
In one of the most moving moments of the day, the heartbeat of an unborn child named Józek was broadcast to the crowd. Recorded via equipment placed on his mother Adrianna’s abdomen, it served as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a real, vulnerable life.
The event concluded with a family picnic and a concert by AnMari. The march was organized by the Saint Benedict Foundation in collaboration with numerous organizations, under the honorary patronage of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.