Pope Leo XIV Marks 9/11 Anniversary with Call for Peace

Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on Sunday with prayers for the victims and a renewed appeal for peace.

The Chicago-born pontiff spoke in English at the close of his traditional Sunday noon blessing, delivered from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square.

"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 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, the pope said the memory of the events of 25 years ago should push people to renew their commitment to peace, above all through prayer.

On Sept. 11, 2001, the future pope — then known as Robert Prevost — was in Rome attending a major assembly of his Augustinian religious order. He was serving as the Chicago provincial leader of the Augustinians at the time. He 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 he 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 continued: "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."