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Pope Leo XIV Honors 9/11 Victims, Calls for Peace and Forgiveness
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV prayed for the 9/11 victims and urged peace and forgiveness during a prayer service in St. Peter's Square.
Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks in the United States of America," Pope Leo XIV said, recalling the tragic day. "I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day.
Continuing in Italian, the pope emphasized the need for a renewed commitment to peace, particularly through prayer. "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.
Reflecting on the Sunday Gospel, the pope noted that Peter’s suggestion of forgiving someone seven times already indicated abundance, as the number seven symbolizes fullness in Scripture. "All things are given to us by God out of pure love, and none of us can claim to be perfect in responding to such goodness," he added.
Forgiveness, according to the pope, is not only a moral imperative but also a means of restoring light in the darkest of times. "Forgiveness, like a gentle breeze, sweeps away even the thickest clouds until the sun shines once more," he said, emphasizing its power to heal and restore.
The prayer service in St. Peter's Square also included greetings to Romans and pilgrims, including groups from Brazil and other countries, as well as pilgrims who had traveled from Assisi along the Way of St. Francis and motorcyclists gathered in support of peace and life.
Earlier in his reflection before the Angelus, the pope focused on the Sunday Gospel and the Christian meaning of forgiveness, recalling that Christ taught forgiveness and bore witness to it even on the cross. "Jesus taught and exemplified forgiveness even on the cross, where he prayed to the Father for his persecutors with the familiar words: 'Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,'" he said.
What's confirmed
- Speaking in English after praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 13, the pope recalled the 25th anniversary of the attacks, which was observed two days earlier.
- “Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks in the United States of America. I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day. 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.
- Continuing in Italian, Leo said the memory of the tragedy should prompt a renewed commitment to peace, above all through prayer entrusted to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
- Reflecting on Peter’s question to Jesus about how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, the pope noted that Peter’s suggestion of seven times already indicated abundance, since the number seven symbolizes fullness in Scripture.
- “All things are given to us by God out of pure love, and none of us can claim to be perfect in responding to such goodness. For this reason, gratuitousness — which is the source of our existence — is also the best rule for our life together,” the pope said.
- “Only forgiveness sets us free and restores the light, even where human material and moral poverty has darkened the horizon and made the path uncertain. Forgiveness, like a gentle breeze, sweeps away even the thickest clouds until the sun shines once more,” he said.
- VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV remembered the victims of the Sept.
- 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on Sunday and renewed his appeal for peace amid conflicts and violence around the world.
What's still developing
- Specifically, "forgiveness is indispensable, and without it, we cannot live in peace," the Holy Father added.
- Here is a full translation of his brief reflection: Today’s Gospel speaks to us of forgiveness, which is a fundamental feature of the Christian life.
- 11, Russellville remembered and honored the victims and heroes by climbing stairs, serving meals and sharing stories.