Pope Francis tweets support for March for Life in Washington

Pope Francis tweeted support for the “March for Life” in Washington on Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of anti-abortion advocates are expected to descend on Capitol Hill for the 41st annual march. Participants are rallying against the Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide.

I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 22, 2014

An adviser to Pope Francis, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, also marked the event by speaking at a Tuesday night Mass in the area.

The pope, whose full name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as the Church’s leader in March and has been viewed as a revolutionary figure.

He has sought to put the church’s focus more on anti-poverty campaigns since taking his position. In September, he argued that the Catholic Church was “obsessed” with issues including abortion, contraception and gay marriage.

But Pope Francis has also made it clear the church will not deviate from its position against abortion and contraception.

The White House announced Tuesday that President Obama will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican in March.