Pope Leo XIV marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States with a call for renewed peace and reflection. Speaking from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, the Chicago-born pontiff addressed a crowd in English, emphasizing the enduring impact of the attacks on his home country and the wider world.

The pope urged people of all faiths and nations to commit themselves to dialogue and understanding as a way to prevent future violence. He highlighted the importance of overcoming hatred and division, recalling the lives lost in the attacks and the reverberations they caused globally.

Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, has often spoken about themes of reconciliation and peace, and his remarks on this solemn anniversary underscored his ongoing effort to promote unity. Observers noted that his message offered a moment of solemn remembrance amid continuing global conflicts and tensions.

The attacks on September 11, 2001, which targeted the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a thwarted attack that ended in a crash in Pennsylvania, resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and reshaped international security policies. The pope’s call serves as a reminder of the enduring need for cooperation to address the roots of terrorism and violence.

Vatican officials said the commemoration included prayers for the victims and their families, as well as for peace worldwide. The pope’s address was part of a broader series of events observed across the United States and internationally to mark the quarter-century since the attacks.