Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks by renewing calls for peace. Speaking from St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for those who lost their lives and continue to suffer from the tragedy. He stated, “Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America,” and reiterated his prayers for the victims and those still affected. He invited everyone to pray that “the Lord will bestow his gift of peace upon the world” at a time when conflict and violence are prevalent.
The Chicago-born pope, formerly Robert Prevost, reflected on the attacks in a homily delivered on September 21, 2001, shortly after the attacks, when he was the Chicago provincial leader of the Augustinian order. In the homily, republished Sunday by Vatican News, he argued that the violence was “a tragic expression of a series of problems that are becoming increasingly acute everywhere,” specifically citing extreme poverty and injustice as root causes. He was elected superior of the entire Augustinian order on September 14, 2001 – his birthday – and held the position for two terms until 2012.
His comments came as he delivered his traditional Sunday noon blessing from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. He added in Italian that “The memory of the tragic events of 25 years ago pushes us to renew our commitment to peace, above all with prayer.”
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