Pope Leo XIV yesterday remembered the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and renewed his appeal for peace amid conflicts and violence around the world. Source: National Catholic Register.
Speaking in English after praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square yesterday, the Pope recalled the 25th anniversary of the attacks, which was observed two days earlier.
“Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the September 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,” Pope Leo said.
“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,” he said.
Pope Leo said the memory of the tragedy should prompt a renewed commitment to peace, above all through prayer entrusted to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
In his reflection before the Angelus, Pope Leo focused on the Sunday Gospel and the Christian meaning of forgiveness, recalling that Christ taught forgiveness and bore witness to it even on the cross, when he prayed to the Father for his persecutors.
Reflecting on Peter’s question to Jesus about how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, the Pope noted that Peter’s suggestion of seven times already indicated abundance, since the number seven symbolises fullness in Scripture. Jesus, however, went further, telling him to forgive “70 times seven” – without limit or measure.
Pope Leo then recalled the parable of the servant whose enormous debt was forgiven by his master but who refused to show the same mercy to a fellow servant who owed him far less.
“All things are given to us by God out of pure love, and none of us can claim to be perfect in responding to such goodness. For this reason, gratuitousness – which is the source of our existence – is also the best rule for our life together,” the Pope said.
“We experience this every day. Forgiveness is indispensable, and without it, we cannot live in peace.”
Without forgiveness, Pope Leo warned, conflicts, accusations, grudges and acts of vengeance eventually arise, destroying relationships, dividing families and unleashing wars.
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Pope Leo XIV Remembers 9/11 Victims, Calls for Peace and Forgiveness (National Catholic Register)
