WASHINGTON (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI offered his blessings to U.S. Catholics as they prepared to observe the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
In a message to Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. bishops, the pope said, “I join you in commending the thousands of victims to the infinite mercy of Almighty God and in asking our heavenly Father to continue to console those who mourn the loss of loved ones.”
Pope Benedict told the archbishop, “I extend my most affectionate greetings to you, your brother bishops and all those entrusted to your pastoral care, and I gladly impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace and serenity in the Lord.”
“The tragedy of that day is compounded by the perpetrators’ claim to be acting in God’s name,” Pope Benedict said. “Once again, it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism.”