Home · Faith · Sep 20 archive

Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus address given Sept. 20, 2026

1:09 PM ETConfirmed

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, called for a renewed commitment to peace and forgiveness in his Sunday Angelus address, marking 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Speaking in English from the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Sept. 13, Pope Leo XIV renewed his prayers for those who lost their lives and those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day.

The pope emphasized the importance of historical memory and the need for greater international assistance to Somalia, where violence and extreme weather are worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis, particularly for women and children.

In his reflection before the Angelus, Leo 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, when he prayed to the Father for his persecutors.

Pope Leo XIV also reflected on the parable of the vineyard workers, saying God’s generosity overturns human calculations of merit and reward. He noted that Jesus’ parables describe the newness of what God has in store for us, yet they also reveal the resistance we generally offer to a more generous justice and greater love.

The pope invited everyone to pray that the Lord will bestow his gift of peace upon the world, emphasizing that 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.

Pope Leo XIV’s remarks also touched on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, which was observed two days earlier. He highlighted the importance of remembering the victims and the need for continued efforts towards peace and reconciliation.

The pope greeted the Romans and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, including groups from Brazil and other countries, pilgrims who had traveled from Assisi along the Way of St. Francis.

Pope Leo XIV’s first public comments on the anniversary came as his first book of writings before he became pope was published in English, a collection of his homilies, messages, and addresses from his 12 years as the head of the Augustinian Order.

The Chicago-born pope’s reflections on the attacks and his call for peace and forgiveness resonated with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, highlighting the ongoing relevance of his message.

Pope Leo XIV’s address also included a reflection on Isaiah’s invitation to turn away from sin and return to the Lord, emphasizing the need for mercy and forgiveness in our lives.

Background

What's confirmed

• Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed for greater international assistance to Somalia, where violence and extreme weather are worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis, particularly for women and children.
• Before the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the day’s Gospel account of the laborers called to work in the vineyard, some for the entire day, others for only a few hours and still others near the end of the day.
• “Jesus’ parables describe the newness of what God has in store for us; yet they also reveal the resistance we generally offer to a more generous justice and greater love,” the pope said.
• The pope said the parable also challenges those who see themselves as having earned their place or accomplishments.
• In his Sunday Angelus catechesis, the pontiff reflected on the parable of the vineyard workers, saying God’s generosity overturns human calculations of merit and reward.
• The pope also used his remarks after the Angelus to emphasize the importance of historical memory.
• The pope recalled Isaiah’s invitation to turn away from sin and return to the Lord, saying “the prophet’s call, which is more relevant than ever, is that we abandon our warped ways and return to the Lord, who is mercy and forgiveness.” Turning to the Gospel parable, Leo said its central moment comes when the vineyard owner pays the workers.
• (OSV News) — The following is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus address given Sunday, 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.
• “Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 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.
• 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.

What's still developing

• Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that “the external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast” ( Homily for the Solemn Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry, 24 April 2005).
• The following is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 message for the 11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation celebrated by the Church on Sept.
• Mt 20: 1–16 ) — some for a full day, some for only a few hours, and some only as the sun was setting.
• “It’s our great privilege to present this inspiring book to readers. Each chapter is a window into the spiritual depth and vision of the man who would eventually become Pope Leo, with an urgent message of love and service to address the challenges of the world today,” said Campbell Wharton, senior vice president and publisher of Penguin Random House Christian.
• ‘We are the Church of Christ, his body, his members called to spread his Gospel of mercy, consolation and peace throughout the world, through that spiritual worship that must shine forth above all in our witness of life.’ While the Catholic Church is often viewed from a Latin-Rite perspective, it also includes 23 Eastern Churches that are in full communion as part of the one Catholic fold.
• Prevost was elected superior of the entire order on Sept.
• Vatican News on Sunday republished excerpts of his first homily as superior, delivered on Sept.
• "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.

Sources

• Catholic Standardlink
• EWTN Newslink
• OSV Newslink
• Thegoodnewsroomlink
• Ewtnvaticanlink
• OSV Newslink
• Cbcpnewslink
• Cruxnowlink
• Ncregisterlink
• CBS Newslink
• Ewtnnewslink
• Zenitlink
• WarpBeat — background on Why Sept. 17 is a holiday in Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV’s ‘name day’ explained link
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Honors St. George’s Name Day in Vatican City on Sept. 20 link