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Pope Leo XIV marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with prayers for victims and peace. His remarks linked the memory of 9/11 to a wider appeal against violence, poverty and injustice.
Vaticancity,UPDATED: Sep 13, 2026 16:36 IST
Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope, called for a renewed commitment to peace on Sunday as he marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. It was the Chicago-born pontiff's first public comment to mark the anniversary.
Speaking in English at the end of his traditional Sunday noon blessing from his studio window overlooking St Peter's Square, Leo remembered those affected by the attacks and urged prayers for peace at a time of conflict and violence.
"Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America," Leo said. "I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day." He added that "at a time when conflict and violence afflict so many of our brothers and sisters, I invite everyone to pray that the Lord will bestow his gift of peace upon the world."
Speaking in Italian, he added: "The memory of the tragic events of 25 years ago pushes us to renew our commitment to peace, above all with prayer."
On Sept. 11, 2001, the former Robert Prevost was in Rome attending a major assembly of his Augustinian religious order. At the time, he was the Chicago provincial leader of the Augustinians. Prevost was elected superior of the entire order on Sept. 14, his birthday, and held the position for two consecutive terms until 2012.
Vatican News on Sunday republished excerpts from his first homily as superior, delivered on Sept. 21, 2001, in which the future pope reflected on the attacks. "We cannot fail to remember the tragic events that shook the United States on Sept. 11," he said in the homily. "The violence that the world witnessed last week in the United States is a tragic expression of a series of problems that are becoming increasingly acute everywhere." He added: "Hatred and violence will continue to grow as long as so many people are forced to live in extreme poverty and are oppressed by so many forms of injustice."
Leo's remarks linked the remembrance of Sept. 11 with a fresh appeal for peace, while Vatican News also revisited his words from 2001 on violence, poverty and injustice.
With PTI Inputs
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Sep 13, 2026 16:36 IST
