Pope commemorates 9/11 attacks with prayers for peace and for those who died

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope in history, called for a renewed commitment to peace on Sunday as he marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on his home country.

The Chicago-born pope made his first public comments to commemorate the anniversary, speaking in English at the end of his traditional Sunday noon blessing from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

“Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America,” Leo said. “I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day.”

He added that “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.”

Speaking in Italian he added: “The memory of the tragic events of 25 years ago pushes us to renew our commitment to peace, above all with prayer.”

On Sept. 11, 2001, the former Robert Prevost was in Rome attending a big assembly of his Augustinian religious order.

At the time, he