Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, spoke publicly for the first time about the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks during his traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
According to the Associated Press, the Chicago-born pope addressed the anniversary in English before switching to Italian. “Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America,” he 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 went on to link the anniversary to present-day conflicts around the world, saying, “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.”
Switching to 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.”
A Personal Connection to That Day
Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost, was in Rome on Sept. 11, 2001, attending a major assembly of his religious order, the Augustinians. At the time he served as the Chicago provincial leader of the order. Three days later, on Sept. 14 — his birthday — he was elected superior general of the entire Augustinian order, a role he held for two consecutive terms until 2012.
Vatican News republished excerpts on Sunday from his first homily as superior general, delivered Sept. 21, 2001, just ten days after the attacks. “We cannot fail to remember the tragic events that shook the United States on Sept. 11,” he said at the time. “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 in that same homily: “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.”
The Associated Press contributed reporting on the pope’s Sunday remarks.
