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ROME \u2014 Pope Leo XIV commemorated the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in his Sunday Angelus address, praying for \u201cthose who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking from the window of the Vatican\u2019s Apostolic Palace Sept. 13, the first U.S.-born pope said, \u201cTwo days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day,\u201d he said. \u201cAt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nSwitching from English to Italian, the pope<\/a> added that the memory of the tragic events of 9\/11 \u201cprompts us to renew our commitment to peace, first and foremost through prayer, which we entrust to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n Pope Leo, then-Father Robert Prevost, was 45 years old and in Rome taking part in the Augustinian Order\u2019s ordinary general chapter, on the date of the 9\/11 attacks that left nearly 3,000 people dead that day, with thousands more dying of related illnesses in the aftermath. Just days later, on Sept. 14, 2001, his 46th birthday, he was elected prior general of the worldwide order.<\/p>\n As the newly elected head of the Augustinian Order, Father Prevost reflected on \u201cthe tragic events that shook the United States on Sept. 11\u201d in his homily for the closing Mass of the order\u2019s meeting Sept. 21, 2001.<\/p>\n \u201cThe violence that the world witnessed last week in the United States is a tragic expression of a series of problems that are becoming increasingly acute everywhere. Hatred and violence will continue to grow as long as so many people are forced to live in extreme poverty and are oppressed by so many forms of injustice,\u201d Father Prevost said in his homily in the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, according to Vatican News.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile many seek revenge,\u201d he said, \u201cAugustinians must bear witness to the Gospel and to its values of unity, dialogue, peace, and reconciliation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>