By Walter Sánchez Silva
ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 25, 2025 / 09:00 am
March 25 marks the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, as well as the International Day of the Unborn Child celebrated in over a dozen countries. Originating in Argentina, this event was established with the crucial involvement of St. John Paul II.
The story dates back to Nov. 13, 1998, when the pope received then-president of Argentina, Carlos Saúl Menem, in Rome. During their private meeting, the president proposed the idea of creating this celebration.
Menem, who passed away on Feb. 14, 2021, at the age of 90, further discussed the concept with Cardinal Angelo Sodano and attended Mass with Pope John Paul II in the Argentine National Church in Rome.
In his homily, the Holy Father highlighted the significance of the Virgin Mary for Argentina, particularly as Our Lady of Luján, the country’s patroness.
“Our Lady of Luján, help the people of Argentina, support them in their defense of life, console them in their suffering, accompany them in their joys, and always help them to raise their eyes to heaven, where the colors of their flag blend with the colors of your immaculate mantle,” the pope prayed.
Less than a month later, Menem and his foreign minister signed Decree 1406/98, officially designating March 25 as the Day of the Unborn Child. The inaugural celebration took place in 1999.
The decree, signed on Dec. 13, 1998, marked a significant step towards recognizing and honoring the sanctity of life from its earliest stages.
John Paul II published his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, in which he strongly condemned abortion and euthanasia. The encyclical reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
By establishing the Day of the Unborn Child, Menem sought to honor the unborn and raise awareness about the value of every human life. The celebration serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of the most vulnerable members of society.
As countries around the world continue to grapple with issues surrounding abortion and the rights of the unborn, the Day of the Unborn Child stands as a symbol of hope and advocacy for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Join us in commemorating this special day and standing up for the rights of the unborn. Let us work together to build a culture of life where every child is welcomed and cherished from the moment of conception.
