SW News: Thousands took to the streets in Rome to march in Italy's national Demonstration for Life on Saturday. Many families, youngsters, and various people participated in the rally alongside 120 associations to say yes to life and the family and no to the culture of death.
On May 20, nearly 40,000 people began walking from Piazza della Repubblica in Rome's central Termini neighborhood past the Basilica of St. Mary Major to the area in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Formerly called the March for Life, the name was changed last year when new leadership took over the event.
 Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, participated in the event proclaiming that "life is not consumption, performance, power, strength but a gift, received and offered." He urged the participants to say yes to the culture of life, starting with that of the little ones, as they are the most vulnerable.
Cardinal also raised concerns over the falling demographic rates in the country. Citing the Holy Father, the Cardinal said, "The birth of children is the main indicator for measuring the hope of a people."
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Chamber, Lorenzo Fontana, said, "Only through the full affirmation of the rights of the family, consistently with what is sanctioned by our Constitution, will we be able to get out of this demographic winter."
Various pro-life advocates addressed the National Demonstration for Life rally.