Home · Faith · Sep 13 archive
Pope Leo XIV Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Prayers for Peace
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by calling for a renewed commitment to peace on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
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.
Pope Leo XIV remembered the victims of the 9/11 attacks and renewed his appeal for peace amid conflicts and violence around the world.
Two popes have visited Ground Zero: Pope Benedict in 2008 and Pope Francis in 2015, according to reports.
What's confirmed
- Updated on: September 13, 2026 / 7:36 AM EDT / CBS/AP Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, called for a renewed commitment to peace on Sunday as he marked 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks on his home country.
- "Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America," Leo said.
- The Chicago-born pope made his first public comments to commemorate 25 years since the attacks, speaking in English at the end of his traditional Sunday noon blessing from his studio window overlooking St.
- In it, the future American pope reflected on the attacks.
- I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day.
What's still developing
- "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." Two popes have visited Ground Zero: Pope Benedict in 2008 and Pope Francis in 2015.
- Daily Excelsior 05:05 PM Sep 13, 2026 IST VATICAN CITY, Sept 13: Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope, called for a renewed commitment to peace on Sunday as he marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept.
- 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.
- 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.
- The pope then greeted the Romans and pilgrims gathered in the square, including groups from Brazil and other countries, pilgrims who had traveled from Assisi along the Way of St.
- Francis, and motorcyclists gathered in support of peace and life.
- 11, 2001, the former Robert Prevost was in Rome attending a big assembly of his Augustinian religious order.