The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum during his upcoming trip to the United States on September 25.

The pontiff will also host an interfaith congress at the site to promote peace between the world’s different religions. As part of the meeting, he will deliver a speech and take part in prayer and meditations with the spiritual representatives of other religions.

“Pope Francis’ visit to the Memorial and Museum will be a special moment for our city,” Michael R. Bloomberg, chairman of the 9/11 Memorial, told AFP. “It is a beautiful and inspiring place, a symbol of our rebirth and resilience that is full of life, and that honors the victims of the attacks and tells their stories to the world,” he said.

The Pope will become one of over 6.5 million people who visit the site annually.
Photo: Inhabitat

“Pope Francis’ messages of the power of love and peace over hate and violence echo the very principles that inspired the commitment to remember and rebuild,” Alice Greenwald, director of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, added. “His historic visit reminds us that when we come together in peace, nothing is impossible.”

A select group of individuals from the 9/11 community, which includes victims’ families, survivors, rescuers, and recovery workers, will be invited to participate in the Pope’s service at the memorial. A lottery will be held to allocate places for the event, due to capacity and security constraints.

Pope Francis is the second pontiff to pay his respects to the 9/11 victims. In 2008, his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI held a prayer at the site.