Pope Leo XIV remembers 9/11 victims, calls for peace and forgiveness

In brief

Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks during his Angelus address on Sunday, Sept. 13. Speaking to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, the pope noted that the 25th anniversary of the attacks in the United States had occurred two days earlier.

The pope expressed prayers for those who died and for those still suffering from the consequences of the tragedy. He urged people to pray for peace globally, especially in areas affected by conflict and violence. He suggested that the memory of the attacks should encourage a commitment to peace through prayer and the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

During his reflection on the Sunday Gospel, the pope spoke about the necessity of forgiveness for achieving peace. He referenced the example of Christ praying for his persecutors on the cross to illustrate the Christian meaning of forgiveness.