Pope Leo XIV Marks 25th Anniversary of Sept. 11 with Call for Peace

Pope Leo XIV used his traditional Sunday noon blessing to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, renewing prayers for those who died and for those still carrying the wounds of that day.

Speaking in English from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square, the Chicago-born pontiff addressed the anniversary directly. "Two days ago marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the September 11th 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."

The pope, who was born Robert Prevost, also linked the remembrance to the broader state of global affairs. "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," he said.

It was his first public comment on the anniversary. On September 11, 2001, Prevost was in Rome attending a major assembly of his Augustinian religious order, then serving as the Chicago provincial leader of the Augustinians. Three days later, on his birthday, he was elected superior of the entire order, a position he held for two consecutive terms until 2012.

A crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square applauded as the pope appeared, and among those listening were nuns holding a sign in Italian reading "Auguri Santità" — Happy birthday, your Holiness. The square later emptied as bells tolled.