US News

Pope Benedict prays, talks to survivors, at Ground Zero

Apr 20, 2008, 14:50 GMT

Pope Benedict XVI, (C), and the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Edward Egan, center left, walk down the ramp to Ground Zero, the site of the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York, USA, 20 April 2008. Pope Benedict XVI is on his last day of his visit to to New York.  EPA/SHANNON STAPLETON / POOL

Pope Benedict XVI, (C), and the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Edward Egan, center left, walk down the ramp to Ground Zero, the site of the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York, USA, 20 April 2008. Pope Benedict XVI is on his last day of his visit to to New York. EPA/SHANNON STAPLETON / POOL

New York - Pope Benedict XVI Sunday prayed at Ground Zero with survivors of the 2001 terrorist attacks that took 3,000 lives, and asked for God's intercession in the hate which drove the Islamist hijackers to kill so many.

Dressed in a plain white robe, Benedict knelt at a small altar on the yellow carpet at Ground Zero and prayed silently for several minutes before lighting a single candle.

About two dozen family members of those who died and actual survivors of the attack that brought down the twin towers were on hand for the subdued ceremony.

'Bring peace into the hearts' of those who endured such pain and suffering, the pope prayed after lighting the candle, and 'turn those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.'

He asked for 'light and guidance as we confront such terrible events' and 'grant ... that lives may not have been lost in vain,' he said.

Afterwards, the pope greeted each of the family members or survivors personally as he listened to their connections to the tragedy recited by a priest standing next to him.

Some of them were police, fire and rescue officials, reflecting the hundreds of public safety officials who died trying to rescue victims of the attacks in the short time before the towers came tumbling down.

Many of those he greeted knelt and kissed Benedict's hand.

But there was also a certain light-heartedness about the occasion, coming more than six years after the attacks. Before Benedict arrived, people chatted and laughed. As he greeted New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York Governor David Paterson, there were also smiles and banter.

A chill mist surrounded lower Manhattan, befitting the mood of the site, and the wind nearly prevented Benedict from lighting the candle.

The group was kept small to fit the space confines of what is now a building site for the new Freedom Tower going up to replace the trade center.

A solemn single cellist provided music while the pope was at Ground Zero, and a bagpipe band of the public safety organizations played as he left. New York's police and fire services have historically included many Irish Catholic immigrants and their descendants.



COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in US

Older Talkback

page: 1 

lanceApr 20th, 2008 - 16:40:02

It is way past time to move on. 9/11 happened a long time ago and people should not bring it up over and over again in order to justify attacking Iraq and other people.

Yes, it was accomplished by Islamic extremist, just as the invasion of Iraq and subsequent mass killing of muslims that resisted the invasion was accomplished by christians.

But, we must all move on and not use those ill-conceived events as a lightning rod for one's faith and values.

Good to hear that New Yorkers are happy again.

I hope the pope also asked for God's intercession in the hate which drove the christian leaders to kill so many in Iraq. He does sound very biased though.

Report this comment

SP4: Hell yes, Lance!Apr 20th, 2008 - 16:50:50

This Pontiff goes to the UN and calls THEM a moral center??????

Where has he been!????

Report this comment

Thanks for nothing lance.Apr 20th, 2008 - 18:30:05

'It is way past time to move on. 9/11 happened a long time ago and people should not bring it up over and over again in order to justify attacking Iraq and other people.'

You might think differently if you:

1) Lived through it.
2) Didn't despise the USA.
3) Weren't a Muslim who perpetually seeks to deflect blame away from your religions inherent belligerence toward people of different faiths all over the world.

'Yes, it was accomplished by Islamic extremist, just as the invasion of Iraq and subsequent mass killing of muslims that resisted the invasion was accomplished by christians[sic].'

The USA, as well as the other members of the coalition countries with secular governments. The 'mass killings of muslims' are invariably the work of other muslims. What a pathetic attempt at moral equivalence.

'Good to hear that New Yorkers are happy again.'

Thank You... Still not willing to forget the murder of 3000 of our own though.

'I hope the pope also asked for God's intercession in the hate which drove the christian[sic] leaders to kill so many in Iraq.'

I hope he puts in a word or two about how civilization has to unite and stand up to the savagery that is committed in the name of Mohammad's fever dreams.


Report this comment

page: 1 

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Elvis Presley's tomb for sale

Elvis Presleys tomb for sale
The chance to be buried in the same tomb where Elvis Presley was originally placed after his death is up for auction. ... more

Bar Refaeli wants to 'marry' Justin Bieber

Bar Refaeli wants to marry Justin Bieber
Bar Refaeli wants to 'marry' Justin Bieber, and also admits having a crush on Tom Cruise. ... more

Chris Brown selling house

Chris Brown selling house
Chris Brown is selling his West Hollywood bachelor pad for £1.8 million, just 15 months after he bought it, following a number of disputes with his neighbours. ... more

Rihanna wants to swap breasts

Rihanna wants to swap breasts
Rihanna wants to 'borrow' her 'Battleship' co-star Brooklyn Decker's boobs. ... more

Justin Bieber loved up with Selena

Justin Bieber loved up with Selena
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez looked 'more in love than ever' on a recent lunch date. ... more

Simon Cowell blasts The Voice

Simon Cowell blasts The Voice
Simon Cowell has taken a swipe at 'The Voice' telling an unsuccessful 'X Factor' contestant to try auditioning for that show instead. ... more

Delta Goodrem opens up about Brian split

Delta Goodrem opens up about Brian split
Delta Goodrem said she 'didn't know how to get out' of her six and a half year relationship with Brian McFadden. ... more

Cynthia Nixon weds longtime partner

Cynthia Nixon weds longtime partner
Happy news for Cynthia Nixon and her longtime partner Christine Marinoni, parents of Max Ellington Nixon-Marinoni. The couple wed this weekend. ... more

David Beckham likes to bite Harper

David Beckham likes to bite Harper
David Beckham likes to bite his 10-month-old baby daughter, Harper, because she's so adorable. ... more

Jessica Biel is 'one of the guys'

Jessica Biel is one of the guys
Justin Timberlake's friends like his fiancee Jessica Biel because she's 'one of the guys', says his former *NSYNC bandmate Lance Bass. ... more