Pope Leo XIV has honoured those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks and called for a renewed commitment to peace, 25 years after the tragedy that transformed the United States and influenced global security.
Speaking after the Angelus in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, 13 September, the Pope remembered the victims and acknowledged the continuing suffering of survivors, bereaved families and others affected by 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,” he said.
The remarks are contained in the Vatican’s official record of the Angelus.
The Pope also appealed for prayers for peace at a time when conflict and violence continue to affect millions of people around the world. He said the memory of the attacks should encourage a renewed commitment to peace, beginning with prayer.
Twenty-five years since the attacks
On 11 September 2001, hijackers seized four passenger aircraft in a coordinated terrorist operation against the United States.
Two aircraft struck the World Trade Center in New York, while another crashed into the Pentagon in Virginia. A fourth aircraft came down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members resisted the hijackers.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed. Memorial ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary were held across the United States on 11 September 2026, according to Reuters.
The attacks led to major changes in aviation security, migration controls, intelligence operations and foreign policy. Their consequences extended far beyond the United States and continue to influence international relations.
A personal connection for the Pope
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
The Associated Press reported that he was in Rome attending an assembly of the Augustinian religious order when the attacks took place in 2001. He was elected leader of the order three days later.
In a homily delivered shortly after the attacks, the future Pope reflected on the connection between violence, extreme poverty and injustice. His latest remarks return to that central message by presenting remembrance as a reason to reject hatred and work towards peace.
Africanews also reported the Pope’s appeal, placing it within his wider concern about conflicts affecting communities around the world.
Why the message matters
The anniversary remains significant for African, British and diaspora communities because the international response to September 11 reshaped travel, migration, border security and public attitudes towards religious and ethnic minorities.
Pope Leo’s message calls for the victims to be remembered without allowing grief to become a justification for further hatred or division.
Twenty-five years later, his appeal is clear: remembrance must be accompanied by a serious and continuing commitment to peace.
