Remembering the 9/11 terror attacks should renew our dedication to world peace, Pope Leo has said. 

The first American-born pope marked the anniversary of September 11th at the end of traditional Angelus prayers on Sunday.

Overlooking St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Pope Leo said in English: “Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America. 

“I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day.

“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.”

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

Robert Prevost, as he was in at the time, was at a meeting of the Augustinian order in Rome when the terror attacks took place. 

Excerpts of Leo’s first homily after the atrocity, delivered on 21st September 2001, were republished by Vatican News to mark the anniversary. 

He said: “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. 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.”