VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks during his Sunday blessing from the Vatican on September 13, 2026. The pontiff made his first public comments to commemorate the anniversary as he spoke 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. He addressed the crowd in English at the end of his traditional Sunday noon blessing before switching languages for further remarks. Speaking in Italian, Pope Leo XIV added: "The memory of the tragic events of 25 years ago pushes us to renew our commitment to peace, above all with prayer." He continued with a specific appeal for those affected by the attacks two and a half decades prior.

"I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day." The pope extended his message to current global conflicts while referencing the historical tragedy. "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." Leo is the first American pope and was born in Chicago.

The events described span 25 years, from 2001 to 2026. On Sept. 11, 2001, Robert Prevost was in Rome attending an assembly of his Augustinian religious order. At that time, Prevost served as the Chicago provincial leader of the Augustinians.

Prevost was elected superior of the entire Augustinian order on Sept. 14, 2001. This date also marks his birthday. He held the position of superior of the Augustinian order for two consecutive terms until 2012. Prevost delivered his first homily as superior on Sept. 21, 2001. Vatican News republished excerpts of that homily on Sunday. In the 2001 text, Prevost stated that the community could not fail to remember the tragic events that shook the United States on Sept. 11. Prevost wrote in that same homily that the violence witnessed in the United States was a tragic expression of problems becoming increasingly acute everywhere. He further noted that hatred and violence would continue to grow as long as people lived in extreme poverty and faced oppression. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, becoming the first American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

Why It Matters

This address represents the first time an American pope has publicly commemorated the Sept. 11 attacks from the Vatican. The 25-year span between the 2001 attacks and the 2026 remarks shows a quarter-century of reflection within the Catholic Church leadership.

The republication of Prevost's 2001 homily provides a direct comparison between his views as an Augustinian superior and his current role as pontiff. Both statements emphasize prayer and peace as responses to violence and injustice.

Timeline

On Sept. 11, 2001, Robert Prevost was the Chicago provincial leader of the Augustinians. Robert Prevost was elected superior of the entire Augustinian order on Sept. 14, 2001. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, was elected superior of the entire Augustinian order on Sept. 14, 2001, a position he held for two consecutive terms until 2012.

Robert Prevost delivered his first homily as superior on Sept. 21, 2001. "We cannot fail to remember the tragic events that shook the United States on Sept. 11," Robert Prevost said in his 2001 homily. He stated that "The 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." He added that "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."

What's New

Netscape News reported that Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, called for a renewed commitment to peace on September 13, 2026, as he marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on his home country, the United States. Background information identifies Robert Prevost as an American philosopher born in 1955.