Marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September terrorist attacks in his native country, Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope, called for a renewed commitment to peace on Sunday.
Addressing gathered crowds in English from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, the Chicago-born pope made his first public comments commemorating the occasion following his traditional Sunday noon blessing.
"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 went on to state 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."
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."
When the attacks occurred on 11 September 2001, the former Robert Prevost was in Rome for a major assembly of his Augustinian religious order, where he was serving as the Chicago provincial leader. On 14 September, his birthday, Prevost was elected superior of the entire order, holding the role across two consecutive terms until 2012.
On Sunday, Vatican News republished extracts of his initial homily as superior, preached on 21 September 2001, in which the future American pope considered the impact of the attacks.
"We cannot fail to remember the tragic events that shook the United States on Sept. 11," he said in his 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.
"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."
