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Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace and Solidarity in Angelus Address

7:02 AM ETConfirmed

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV called for international solidarity with Somalia and renewed commitment to peace in his Angelus address on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, called for a renewed commitment to peace and forgiveness in his Angelus address on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Speaking in English after praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the pope renewed his prayers for those who lost their lives and those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day.

Reflecting on the Gospel parable of the vineyard workers, Pope Leo XIV said God’s generosity overturns human calculations of merit and reward, challenging those who see themselves as having earned their place or accomplishments.

The pope 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.

Pope Leo XIV also 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.

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.

The pope’s address highlighted the importance of spreading the Gospel of mercy, consolation, and peace throughout the world, emphasizing that the Catholic Church, viewed from a Latin-Rite perspective, also includes 23 Eastern Churches that are in full communion as part of the one Catholic fold.

What this adds

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.
• Pope Leo XIV at the Angelus on Sunday, 16 August 2026. (Image credit: Vatican Media) On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV’s first ever book of his 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.
• “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.
• 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.
• 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.
• VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV called for international solidarity with Somalia on Sunday, citing ongoing violence and extreme weather that are compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis.

Sources

• Catholic Standardlink
• EWTN Newslink
• OSV Newslink
• Ewtnvaticanlink
• OSV Newslink
• Cbcpnewslink
• Cruxnowlink
• Ncregisterlink
• CBS Newslink
• Ftlsomalialink
• Thegoodnewsroomlink
• Ewtnnewslink
• Heraldmalaysialink
• Zenitlink
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace and Forgiveness in Angelus Address link
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV's Visit Spurs Full Covering of Rupnik Mosaics link
• EWTN News — video link