Pope Francis spoke at Ground Zero Friday of the violence of the past and the need for a future of peace during remarks and in a prayer at a service of remembrance of the terror attacks on America.
"Here grief is palpable," the pope said in his speech at the multireligious gathering, which was distributed in English but he read in Spanish. "The water we see flowing towards that empty pit reminds us of all those lives which fell prey to those who think that destruction, tearing down, is the only way to settle conflicts."
"It is the silent cry of those who were victims of a mindset which knows only violence, hatred and revenge," he said. "A mindset which can only cause pain, suffering, destruction and tears."
"It is a source of great hope that in this place of sorrow and remembrance I can join with leaders representing the many religious traditions which enrich the life of this great city," he said. "I trust that our presence together will be a powerful sign of our shared desire to be a force for reconciliation, peace and justice in this community and throughout the world."
Earlier, in a Prayer for Remembrance, he talked about "the unspeakable violence" that occurred at Ground Zero, but also of "the need to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all."
Shortly before the service, Cardinal Timothy Dolan accompanied the pope along the border of one of the memorial pools and Francis placed a single flower on one of the slabs containing the names of the victims of the attacks.
Families, including four from Long Island, of the victims were introduced to the pope by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the chairman of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
The families were those of Jonathan Lee Ielpi, 29, of Great Neck, a New York City firefighter; Michael Patrick Iken, 37, of the Bronx, who worked at Euro Brokers and grew up in Massapequa; John A. Katsimatides of Greenport, a 31-year-old bond broker for Cantor Fitzgerald; and Neil Levin, 46, of Atlantic Beach, executive director of the Port Authority.
Inside the museum, Dolan welcomed Francis to the service, titled "A Witness to Peace."
"We in New York are sinners. We have a lot of flaws and make many mistakes," Dolan said. "But one of the things we do well is sincere and fruitful interreligious friendships."
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, of Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan, and Imam Khalid Latif, executive director and chaplain of the Islamic Center at New York University, followed Dolan with reflections.
"In this place, where horrendous violence was committed falsely in the name of God, we, representatives of the world religions in this great City of New York, gather to offer words of comfort and prayer," Cosgrove said.
"With love and affection, we recall the victims of the 9/11 attacks. We pray that their souls, and the souls of those serving the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD and NJPD, are forever remembered for an eternal blessing," the rabbi said.
Imam Khalid Latif said that "intolerance and ignorance fueled those who attacked this place."
"The courage of today's gathering distinguishes us from the opponents of religious freedom as we stand together as brothers and sisters to condemn their horrific acts of violence and honor each life that was lost unconditionally...," the imam said.
Also on the stage in Foundation Hall were Greek Orthodox, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh religious leaders. Bishop William Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre also was in attendance.
Francis is the first pope to visit the Memorial and Museum. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, knelt and prayed during a ceremony in April 2008 at the World Trade Center site before the Memorial and Museum were opened.
The memorial opened on the 10-year anniversary of the attacks. The museum publicly opened May 21, 2014.
Following the pope's remarks, the Young People's Chorus of New York City sang "Let There be Peace on Earth," with some of the lyrics changed to be inclusive.
After the service the pope greeted those on stage and toured the museum. At about 1 p.m. he had returned to Papal Nuncio's residence.
Before the service, Anna and Dominick Florentino of Malverne, who lost a nephew in the attacks on 9/11, stood at a barricade in lower Manhattan before the pope arrived, hoping to touch the pope when he arrived at Ground Zero.
Anna Florentino said it was her first visit to the Memorial and Museum.
"I got the courage now that the pope is coming," she said. "I was afraid of my own emotions."
The couple, each 70 years old, said their nephew, electrician Charles Lucania, 35, of East Atlantic Beach, was killed when the south tower came down on Sept. 11, 2001.
Their son, Christopher Florentino, 44, has cancer that is in remission, they said.
"I'm just hoping the pope has a blessing for both of them -- him in heaven; him here," she said.
Joan Higgins, 82, of Freeport, said she was hoping the pope would pray for her firefighter son. Lt. Timothy Higgins, 43, of Farmingdale, a father of three who worked at Brooklyn's Squad 252, died in the north tower.
"I really would like to see the pope and get his blessing," she said. "I'm a very devout Catholic and I believe that he would pray for Tim's soul and give his blessings."
With Bart Jones and Víctor Manuel Ramos
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