In the 19 years that have passed since the tragic terrorist attacks that shocked our nation, two popes have visited the location of the former World Trade Center in New York City. Pope emeritus Benedict XVI prayed at Ground Zero during his 2008 visit to the United States, when the site was under reconstruction. In 2015, Pope Francis made an address at the memorial located on the footprints of the twin towers. Both pontiffs offered words of comfort and appeals for peace in our troubled world.
In his prayer, Benedict asked God for peace: “Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.” Francis echoed those words in his address, stating: “Let us implore from on high the gift of commitment to the cause of peace. Peace in our homes, our families, our schools and our communities.”
The appeal for peace was not the only thing that the popes emphasized in their respective visits. In Benedict’s prayer, he also asked for the triumph of love. “Turn to your way of love,” prays Benedict “those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.” In his address, Francis marveled at how such love was shown on that tragic day, since “here, amid pain and grief, we also have a palpable sense of the heroic goodness which people are capable of, those hidden reserves of strength from which we can draw. In the depths of pain and suffering, you also witnessed the heights of generosity and service. Hands reached out, lives were given.”
The visits of Pope Benedict and Pope Francis at Ground Zero were living testimonies to the peace and love of Jesus Christ, who entered our fallen world in order to save us from sin and death. From Christ comes the love that restores us to life, and the true and lasting peace that comforts and heals our wounded hearts. He embraced his passion and death as the ultimate act of love and sacrifice.
Many first responders gave their lives on September 11th in service to others. Their sacrifice reflects Christ’s act of total self-giving. By his resurrection, Christ comforts us with his peace, reigning in our hearts as the Prince of Peace. The Risen Christ shows us that life cannot be defeated by the scourge of death. He gives us hope, which is stronger than our despair, anger, and pain. Saint Paul reminds us of this truth when he exhorts us to “have no anxiety about anything,” for “the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6–7).
In addition to their respective prayer and address, both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis lit a remembrance candle for the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks during their visits to Ground Zero. These gestures were quite fitting, for in these actions both pontiffs showed the world a tangible sign of the light of Christ, a light that never fades. The horror of that day may still remain etched in our memories after nearly two decades. Many continue to grieve the loss of loved ones who died in the attacks. Yet Christ is victorious. His light shines brightly in the midst of darkness and despair, illuminating us with his peace and love.
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Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. (used with permission)
