Florida Catholics Gather in Tallahassee as Advocates for Life

Hundreds of Catholics from across the state, including dozens from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, joined together in the state capitol March 18-19, 2025 to advocate for the protection of human life in a variety of policy areas. Led by Florida's eight bishops and the staff of the Florida Catholic Conference, lay men and women met with state lawmakers to address key policy priorities for the 2025 legislative session including:

• Opposing abortion and limiting its harm to the greatest extent possible
• Advocating for the end of the use of the death penalty in the state of Florida
• Improving prison conditions to ensure adequate staffing, health care, and air conditioning
• Protecting parental rights in education and expanding Florida's school choice scholarship programs
• Ensuring access to health care, including mental health services, for all residents of Florida
• Defeating human trafficking by combating sexual exploitation and the demand for forced labor

A full list of legislative priorities for the 2025 session can be found at the Florida Catholic Conference website.

Catholic Days at the Capitol concluded with the 50th annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More with Governor DeSantis and other public officials in attendance. Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski was the homilist for the liturgy.