STORY: Pope Leo on Sunday (September 13) during his weekly Angelus prayer from the window of Vatican’s Apostolic Palace expressed his solidarity with the victims of the September 11 attacks.

Friday (September 11) marked the 25th anniversary of the day on which nearly 3,000 people were killed as two planes were steered into the World Trade Center in New York in 2001.

The pope, who was born in Chicago and is the first pontiff in history born in the U.S., said that he renews his "prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to bear the wounds of that tragic day". He furthermore commented that he invites everyone to pray "at a time when conflict and violence afflict so many of our brothers and sisters".

Pope Leo will celebrate his 71th birthday on Monday (September 14). It will be his second birthday as a pope.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (SEPTEMBER 13, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING AT WINDOW OF APOSTOLIC PALACE

2. NUN HOLDING SIGN FOR POPE’S UPCOMING BIRTHDAY ON SEPTEMBER 14, READING (Italian): “Happy birthday, your holiness”

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"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. 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.”

4. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CLAPPING

5. BELLS OF ST PETER’S BASILICA RINGING