On Friday, Pope Leo XIV issued his first “State of the World” address—a traditional annual speech that lays out the pope’s priorities for the year. 

In concept, the practice sounds similar to the American “State of the Union” address. But Pope Leo’s speech differed in one fundamental way: Without mincing words or pursuing political correctness, he unapologetically, undeniably affirmed the sanctity of life.  

“The vocation to love and to life… implies a fundamental ethical imperative for enabling families to welcome and fully care for unborn life,” said Pope Leo. 

He continued, “We categorically reject any practice that denies or exploits the origin of life and its development. Among these is abortion, which cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.” 

That’s a truth that no American president, and certainly not the current administration, is likely to utter: the principle that every life, beginning at conception, has inherent value—meaning it cannot be destroyed on the whim of another. 

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Why is that reality so difficult to acknowledge? 

In part, it’s because of the common caricature that mistakes being pro-life for simply being anti-abortion—for simply caring about life before birth. Under that caricature, pro-lifers are cold-hearted anti-abortion moralists who damn women seeking abortions and mercilessly force them to raise children they don’t want and can’t provide for. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. Being pro-life doesn’t just mean being anti-abortion—nor does the principle that life has value solely demand banning abortion. 

In fact, a true belief in the value of life demands a response much greater than merely opposing abortion: It demands that all lives be treated with respect, compassion, and care. As Pope Leo put it, protecting life demands not only “the protection of every unborn child” but also “the effective and concrete support of every woman so that she is able to welcome life.” 

He’s exactly right. Fighting for life means supporting that life in the fullest sense of the word—by coming alongside mothers, providing them with the resources they need to raise their children, and reminding them they’re not alone.  

To learn more about Students for Life of America’s work to support life, visit Standing with You, SFLA’s initiative providing education and resources for those pregnant and parenting.  Or, read about Students for Life Action’s push to pass the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act here.