House Speaker Mike Johnson tells how his teenage parents chose life

UPDATE: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson spoke at the rally this morning, sharing his personal connection to the pro-life cause. “I myself am a product of an unplanned pregnancy,” Johnson said. “My parents—who were just teenagers at the time—chose life. And I am very profoundly grateful that they did.” University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh made a surprise appearance to introduce former NFL tight end Benjamin Watson. The rally ended with a prayer from Greg and Cathe Laurie, the real-life inspiration for the movie Jesus Revolution.

People attend the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall Friday in Washington. Getty Images/Photo by Anna Moneymaker

EARLIER REPORT (12:30 p.m.): Participants from a variety of denominations on Friday participated in the annual National Prayer Service ahead of the March for Life. Priests for Life National Director Frank Pavone and Speak for Life founder Alveda King spoke during the service and attendees participated in worship and prayer. Event sponsor Priests for Life also honored notable pro-life advocates with the National Pro-Life Recognition Award. Bishop Joseph Strickland was among the honorees. Pope Francis in November dismissed Strickland as the head of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, after he criticized the pope.

Were there other prayer services before the march? The annual National Prayer Vigil for Life was held Thursday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Bishop Earl Fernandes offered a homily during the closing service Friday morning urging pro-life attendees to be bold and fight for the protection of unborn babies.

Quote of note: “My brother bishops, my fellow priests, to our dying breaths, we promise you we will be with you. To walk with you and to march with you,” Fernandes said. “You are not alone and we cannot leave the unborn alone. We must love them and we must love their mothers."

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report in WORLD Magazine on how pro-life groups are adapting to a new political landscape post-Dobbs.