The Archdiocese of Detroit posted excerpts from the message Pope Francis sent to those who took part in Friday’s March for Life in the nation’s capital.

“To those taking part in the March for Life, and to all who support them by their prayers and sacrifices, the Holy Father gladly imparts his blessing as a pledge of strength and joy in the Lord,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on behalf of Pope Francis. 

The message was read during the National Prayer Vigil for Life, part of the day’s events leading up to the march.

Bishop Michael Burbidge, who chairs the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life activities, posted about the importance of not being complacent in the fight against abortion.

“May we be united in prayer today as many throughout our country will gather in our nation’s capital and March for Life and for the protection of the unborn as peaceful and courageous witnesses to the truth in love,” Burbidge said in a tweet. "Our work is not over – it is just beginning!” 

This year’s March for Life was the first one to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling last summer that eliminated the federal constitutional right to abortion, CNN reported.

The March for Life started after the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision and has been held yearly since. The first March for Life took place Jan. 22, 1974, a day when an estimated 20,000 Americans rallied in defense of the unborn. The number of participants has grown since, with up to 100,000 people attending most years, and at least 200,000 attending the marches from 2003-2007, according to the March for Life organization.

Burbidge said the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is a step in the right direction. U.S. bishops, though, need to continue their work to abolish abortion-funding policies that target vulnerable people, and continue to act locally to limit the scope of legalized abortion at the state level, and reducing or even eliminating abortion funding, according to Vatican News.