Thousands march for life in Bratislava

On September 20, 2026, thousands gathered in Bratislava's Freedom Square for Slovakia's fifth National March for Life, organized by the Slovak Bishops' Conference.

Pope sends message of support

Pope Leo XIV told participants the march should awaken awareness of life as a precious gift from God to be protected from conception to natural death.

“a moment of prayer and witness, awakening a renewed awareness of the precious gift of life”

Bishops focus on dignity and protection

Father Ivan Ružička, Secretary General of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, said the march aims to stand for human dignity from conception until natural death.

“We came together to stand for the dignity of every human life, from conception until natural death”

Supporting women in difficult situations

The bishops want to ensure no mother feels abortion is her only option by providing assistance to women and families facing hardship.

“No mother should feel that abortion is her only option”

Bishops demand complete surrogacy ban

Father Ružička called for a complete legal ban on surrogacy in Slovakia, saying a child cannot be an object of contract and a woman's body should not fulfill others' wishes.

“a child can never become an object of a contract, and a woman's body should not become a means”

Petition seeks stronger surrogacy legislation

Organizers say the current Parliament proposal only prohibits certain surrogacy forms, so they're petitioning for a complete ban on all agreements to bear a child for another person.