Pope Leo XVI marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a call for peace and remembrance during his traditional Sunday noon blessing on September 13, 2026. Reflecting on the tragedy that shook the United States a quarter-century earlier, the pontiff extended prayers for the victims and those still affected by the events of that day.

“Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America,” Pope Leo said. He emphasized the ongoing impact of violence and conflict worldwide, urging the faithful to seek peace through prayer. Speaking in Italian, he added that the memory of the attacks serves as a reminder to renew commitment to peace above all through prayer.

The September 11 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people, remain a defining moment in modern history, prompting a global reassessment of security and international relations. The pope’s comments came from Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and a symbolic center for international dialogue and reconciliation.

At the time of the 2001 attacks, then known as Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XVI was serving as the provincial leader of the Augustinian religious order in Chicago. He was in Rome for a significant assembly of the order when the attacks occurred. Just days later, on September 14, coinciding with his birthday, he was elected superior of the entire Augustinian order, a role he held through two terms until 2012.

The pope’s reflections underscore a continued emphasis on healing and unity amid ongoing global challenges related to conflict and violence. His appeal to prayer highlights the Vatican’s approach of fostering peace through spiritual and moral leadership on the international stage.